Children Quote by Barbara Kingsolver
““It wasn’t all a waste,” she told him over and over, holding on. Some things they got right, she was sure of that. The children. And for all the rest they wept, a merged keening that felt bottomless. For the years and years of things that didn’t exist, fantasies of flight where there was no flight. Nothing, really, but walking away on your own two feet. She felt tears frozen on her face.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver, 1988
She reflects on loss and hope, recognizing the children as a salvaged part of a broken life while mourning what never was.
In simple terms: She finds value in the children despite overall loss.
Key Takeaway
Cherish what remains, even amid grief.
Themes
grief
hope
parenthood
resilience
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
literary
emotional
When to use this quote
- parenting
- counseling
- creative writing
- grief support
- memory work
Key Concepts
attachment
meaning-making
survival
Questions to Reflect On
- What parts of your life feel salvaged?
- How do you balance mourning with gratitude?
A Different Perspective
The quote may romanticize resilience, overlooking the need for external help and systemic change.
