--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was so afraid that I’d never be able to…" description: "\"“I was so afraid that I’d never be able to love anyone, and here I was, holding a child I desperately wanted to call my own and upstairs was a woman I ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d3/j-l-berg-29356_children_i-was-so-afraid-that-i-d-never-be-able-t_2196731.jpg" --- # I was so afraid that I’d never be able to love anyone, and… ![“I was so afraid that I’d never be able to love anyone, and here I was, holding a child I desperately wanted to call my own and upstairs was a woman I would give my life for. Turns out I was always capable of love, I just hadn’t found it yet.” quote by J.L. Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d3/j-l-berg-29356_children_i-was-so-afraid-that-i-d-never-be-able-t_2196731.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d3/j-l-berg-29356_children_i-was-so-afraid-that-i-d-never-be-able-t_2196731.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d3/j-l-berg-29356_children_i-was-so-afraid-that-i-d-never-be-able-t_2196731.jpg) > ““I was so afraid that I’d never be able to love anyone, and here I was, holding a child I desperately wanted to call my own and upstairs was a woman I would give my life for. Turns out I was always capable of love, I just hadn’t found it yet.”” [J.L. Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-l-berg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker discovers that love was always possible, revealed through caring for a child and a partner, despite prior fear of being unable to love. **In simple terms:** Love can be found when we open ourselves to others. Key Takeaway Recognize love when it appears. Themes love self-discovery family Mood hopeful reflective Type personal emotional When to use this quote - parenthood - romantic partnership - overcoming fear of intimacy Key Concepts emotional growth attachment capacity for love Questions to Reflect On - What relationships have you ignored due to fear? - How can you nurture emerging love? A Different Perspective Love may still be hindered by past trauma or self-doubt. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) ## Related quotes > [Most of us try to do too much because we are secretly afraid we will not be able to do anything at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-aster/most-of-us-try-to-do-too-much-because-we-are-secretly-afraid-we-will/) Rick Aster > [“She was afraid of not being able to pull herself out of the dream world, never waking up, never knowing what really happened, never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-barmanbek/she-was-afraid-of-not-being-able-to-pull-herself-out-of-the-dream/) [B. Barmanbek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-barmanbek/) > [“I was afraid of what he might be able to see. 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She was merely afraid she might not be able to tell the difference.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-maguire/she-wasn-t-afraid-of-doing-good-or-of-resisting-evil-she-was-merely/) [Gregory Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-maguire/) > [Love's more than holding hands and going to dances. It's two people who struggle to live, even when they should maybe both be dead.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-hutchinson/love-s-more-than-holding-hands-and-going-to-dances-it-s-two-people/) Shaun Hutchinson > [“Love … It’s a nice little trick if you can find it. We had found it. But now I knew finding love and holding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-e-pearson/love-it-s-a-nice-little-trick-if-you-can-find-it-we-had-found-it-but/) [Mary E. Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-e-pearson/) > [Baby cant you see or you didnt really care bout me and I'm not sorry, I cant forget you baby do you really want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonie-de-guzman/baby-cant-you-see-or-you-didnt-really-care-bout-me-and-i-m-not-sorry/) Bonie De Guzman > [The key to getting through tough times with who you love is holding them down and being best friends before anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-key-to-getting-through-tough-times-with-who-you-love-is-holding/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When real love is holding 2 people together nothing can break them up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/when-real-love-is-holding-2-people-together-nothing-can-break-them-up/) [SONYA PARKER](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [I met Méret Oppenheim when I was a very young artist just coming to New York. She really liked my early films and showed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-horn/i-met-m-ret-oppenheim-when-i-was-a-very-young-artist-just-coming-to/) [Rebecca Horn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-horn/) > [As you grow up, you learn the difference between falling in love and holding hands. kissing doesn't always mean something, promises can be broken…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-grow-up-you-learn-the-difference-between-falling-in-love-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [One of the most Beautiful Things... is Falling Asleep with Someone you Love... Holding them and Feeling Perfectly Safe...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-of-the-most-beautiful-things-is-falling-asleep-with-someone-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you are waiting for anything in order to live and love without holding back, then you suffer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-deida/if-you-are-waiting-for-anything-in-order-to-live-and-love-without/) [David Deida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-deida/) ## More by J.L. Berg > [“We all have to make tough decisions, and when faced with extraordinary circumstances, even the greatest of us can choose wrong.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-l-berg/we-all-have-to-make-tough-decisions-and-when-faced-with-extraordinary/) [J.L. Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-l-berg/) > [“Reach into the past and remember the reasons you fell in love. Hold on to that, son, and cherish it. Then you must start…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-l-berg/reach-into-the-past-and-remember-the-reasons-you-fell-in-love-hold-on/) [J.L. Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-l-berg/) > [“Love is many things. It’s every raw human emotion rolled up into one messy four letter word. There’s no rule book and definitely no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-l-berg/love-is-many-things-it-s-every-raw-human-emotion-rolled-up-into-one/) [J.L. Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-l-berg/) > [“Clare, you have noticed I’m a guy, right? Because if not, I can pull this car over right now and make that abundantly clear.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-l-berg/clare-you-have-noticed-i-m-a-guy-right-because-if-not-i-can-pull-this/) [J.L. Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-l-berg/) > [“sometimes when a friendship goes beyond normal borders and you find a sister, rather than an ordinary friend, conversations aren’t necessary.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-l-berg/sometimes-when-a-friendship-goes-beyond-normal-borders-and-you-find-a/) [J.L. Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-l-berg/) > [“That kiss had left me awe-struck. It was earth-shattering in its simplicity, mind-numbing in its intimacy, and completely raw in its emotional depths.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-l-berg/that-kiss-had-left-me-awe-struck-it-was-earth-shattering-in-its/) [J.L. Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-l-berg/) > [“Clare, this…what we’re doing? It has to be all or nothing. And I want all of you. When you cry, I want to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-l-berg/clare-this-what-we-re-doing-it-has-to-be-all-or-nothing-and-i-want/) [J.L. Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-l-berg/) > [“She came to me, and I wanted to be her healer and protector … I needed a night taking care of the little girl…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-l-berg/she-came-to-me-and-i-wanted-to-be-her-healer-and-protector-i-needed-a/) [J.L. Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-l-berg/) > [“Natural childbirth —I would never understand it. It was like going to the dentist and saying, "Novocain? No thanks. Just go in there Doc…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-l-berg/natural-childbirth-i-would-never-understand-it-it-was-like-going-to/) [J.L. Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-l-berg/) > [“I just want you to remember it. All of it. In vivid, technicolor clarity. And that can only be achieved if you’re sober. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-l-berg/i-just-want-you-to-remember-it-all-of-it-in-vivid-technicolor-clarity/) [J.L. Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-l-berg/) > [“I’ll wait. For however long it takes, Clare. I’m yours.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-l-berg/i-ll-wait-for-however-long-it-takes-clare-i-m-yours/) [J.L. Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-l-berg/) > [“I wanted you to know, because you are the only woman I’ve ever wanted to share my bed with, or bring home. Clare, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-l-berg/i-wanted-you-to-know-because-you-are-the-only-woman-i-ve-ever-wanted/) [J.L. Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-l-berg/) > [“Your rack looks fabulous in this dress. You should wear this one. He’ll lose his shit when he sees you in it.” “You always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-l-berg/your-rack-looks-fabulous-in-this-dress-you-should-wear-this-one-he-ll/) [J.L. Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-l-berg/) > [“Being a gentleman is highly overrated.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-l-berg/being-a-gentleman-is-highly-overrated/) [J.L. Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-l-berg/) > [“I want a clean slate with you, Clare. You’re special to me. I don’t know what we’re doing or where it’s going but I’ve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-l-berg/i-want-a-clean-slate-with-you-clare-you-re-special-to-me-i-don-t-know/) [J.L. Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-l-berg/) [Explore all 18 J.L. Berg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-l-berg/) ## More Afraid quotes > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [“Carrie Fisher. “Stay afraid, but do it anyway.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-union/carrie-fisher-stay-afraid-but-do-it-anyway/) [Gabrielle Union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-union/) > [I used to be afraid of my temper, but it turns out I don't really have one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-bell/i-used-to-be-afraid-of-my-temper-but-it-turns-out-i-don-t-really-have/) [Zoe Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-bell/) > [I get afraid of the dark if I'm in a great deal of dark, and I have to move around inside of that fear...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emil-ferris/i-get-afraid-of-the-dark-if-i-m-in-a-great-deal-of-dark-and-i-have-to/) [Emil Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emil-ferris/) > [I am not afraid of praise, for I have practiced it on myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-am-not-afraid-of-praise-for-i-have-practiced-it-on-myself/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I'm a pretty fearless person. I'm afraid of, like, creepy men in white vans and sidewalks with no streetlights. But I'm not afraid to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-totah/i-m-a-pretty-fearless-person-i-m-afraid-of-like-creepy-men-in-white/) [Josie Totah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-totah/) > [I will support my party when they are right on an issue, but am not afraid to stand up to party bosses who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darlene-senger/i-will-support-my-party-when-they-are-right-on-an-issue-but-am-not/) Darlene Senger > [Why am I so afraid to loose you,when you're not even mine?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/why-am-i-so-afraid-to-loose-you-when-you-re-not-even-mine/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I want to tell you, but I cant, becuase I'm afraid if I do you'll never treat me same the again](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristina-orante/i-want-to-tell-you-but-i-cant-becuase-i-m-afraid-if-i-do-you-ll-never/) [Cristina Orante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristina-orante/) > [Mistakes I've made in the past make me afraid to try new things in the future. I want to be perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-altucher/mistakes-i-ve-made-in-the-past-make-me-afraid-to-try-new-things-in/) [James Altucher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-altucher/) > [“Humans are naturally scared and confused beings. They not only fear the unknown, as they live fearing themselves... ☥”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-marques/humans-are-naturally-scared-and-confused-beings-they-not-only-fear/) [Luis Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-marques/) > [If you are too afraid of failure, you cant possibly do what needs to be done to succeed in living a fulfilling life. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/if-you-are-too-afraid-of-failure-you-cant-possibly-do-what-needs-to/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) > [We cannot be afraid of the dark that they live in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burnie-burns/we-cannot-be-afraid-of-the-dark-that-they-live-in/) [Burnie Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burnie-burns/) > [“I think the reason we're cruel sometimes is that we're afraid we're going to like something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/i-think-the-reason-we-re-cruel-sometimes-is-that-we-re-afraid-we-re/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [I'm still with that feeling that I am afraid of doing the wrong thing, because somebody is going to punish me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eartha-kitt/i-m-still-with-that-feeling-that-i-am-afraid-of-doing-the-wrong-thing/) [Eartha Kitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eartha-kitt/) Browse all 5,519 Afraid quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I was so afraid that I’d never be able to love anyone, and here I was, holding a child I desperately wanted to call my own and upstairs was a woman I would give my life for. 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