Every day Quote by Betty Smith
““Francie went over to stand at the great window from which she could see the East River twenty stories below. It was the last time she'd see the river from that window. The last time of anything has the poignancy of death itself. This that I see now, she thought, to see no more this way. Oh, the last time how clearly you see everything; as though a magnifying light had been turned on it. And you grieve because you hadn't held it tighter when you had it every day. What had granma Mary Rommely said? "To look at everything always as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time: Thus is your time on earth filled with glory.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, 1943
The narrator reflects on the poignancy of “last times,” urging one to view each moment as both first and final, to cherish it fully.
In simple terms: Treat every moment as if it’s the first and last.
Key Takeaway
Live with awe and gratitude.
Themes
nostalgia
mindfulness
impermanence
gratitude
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- daily routines
- significant events
- creative work
- family gatherings
Key Concepts
Phenomenology
temporal perception
memory
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance appreciation with action?
- What rituals help you savor moments?
A Different Perspective
Focusing on “first/last” can cause anxiety.
