Children Quote by Augusten Burroughs
““Parents who have lost a child should be told that they will never heal from their loss. They will always have a terrible, wide hole within them. And other holes, smaller ones. The way the dead daughter used to smell like apples in the summer? That’s a hole. How the dead boy snorted when he laughed really hard. Another hole. One hole surrounded by nearly an entire constellation of others. So no, if your child dies, you will not heal. Do not wait for the healing to arrive. It will never come. The holes will never leave or be filled with anything at all. But holes are interesting things.””
About This Quote
Source Memoir: Running with Scissors, 2002
Grief creates permanent emotional voids that never fully close, but they become part of one's inner landscape.
In simple terms: Loss leaves lasting holes.
Key Takeaway
Accept and integrate the pain.
Themes
grief
loss
healing
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
personal
philosophical
When to use this quote
- counseling
- support groups
- personal writing
- memorial rituals
Key Concepts
psychology
trauma
resilience
Questions to Reflect On
- What does your 'hole' teach you about yourself?
- How can you honor the void without being consumed?
A Different Perspective
May overlook individual variability in healing.
