Children Quote by Catherynne M. Valente
“That stirring which had fluttered in her on first glimpsing the sea—that stirring landlocked children know so well—moved in her now, with the golden stars over head, and the green fireflies glinting on the wooded shore. She carefully unfolded the stirring that she had so tightly packed away. It billowed out like a sail, and she laughed, despite herself, despite hunger and hard things ahead.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, 2011
A deep, nostalgic yearning awakens when confronting vast, beautiful horizons, releasing hidden joy despite hardship.
In simple terms: Longing for wonder resurfaces and lifts spirits.
Key Takeaway
Embrace awe, even in struggle.
Themes
wonder
resilience
nostalgia
growth
Mood
hopeful
reflective
Type
literary
inspirational
When to use this quote
- travel
- personal loss
- hardship
- creative expression
Key Concepts
longing
awakening
inner child
beauty of nature
Questions to Reflect On
- What horizons are you avoiding?
- How can you nurture that inner child?
A Different Perspective
The feeling can be fleeting and may mask underlying pain.
