--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Instead she squeezes Mary’s arm and…" description: "\"“Instead she squeezes Mary’s arm and appreciates her kindness. Her understanding. This is why people have children, even when they believe the world is..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f35/jessica-shattuck-23206_children_instead-she-squeezes-mary-s-arm-and-appr_1409378.jpg" --- # Instead she squeezes Mary’s arm and appreciates her… ![“Instead she squeezes Mary’s arm and appreciates her kindness. Her understanding. This is why people have children, even when they believe the world is going to hell, even when life is nothing but uncertainty. In hopes of being understood.” quote by Jessica Shattuck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f35/jessica-shattuck-23206_children_instead-she-squeezes-mary-s-arm-and-appr_1409378.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f35/jessica-shattuck-23206_children_instead-she-squeezes-mary-s-arm-and-appr_1409378.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f35/jessica-shattuck-23206_children_instead-she-squeezes-mary-s-arm-and-appr_1409378.jpg) > ““Instead she squeezes Mary’s arm and appreciates her kindness. Her understanding. This is why people have children, even when they believe the world is going to hell, even when life is nothing but uncertainty. In hopes of being understood.”” [Jessica Shattuck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-shattuck/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People cling to hope and connection despite fear and uncertainty, finding meaning in caring for others. **In simple terms:** Hope persists through caring for others. Key Takeaway Cherish small acts of kindness. Themes hope family uncertainty parenthood Mood reflective empathetic Type narrative emotional When to use this quote - parenting - friendship - supportive communities Key Concepts existentialism human connection Questions to Reflect On - How do you stay hopeful in crisis? - What small kindness can you offer today? A Different Perspective Even with hope, fear can dominate decisions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Kindness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kindness/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) ## Related quotes > [“Extend to each person, no matter how trivial the contact, all the care and kindness and understanding and love that you can muster, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/og-mandino/extend-to-each-person-no-matter-how-trivial-the-contact-all-the-care/) [Og Mandino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/og-mandino/) > [It was deeply a part of Lee's kindness and understanding that man's right to kill himself is inviolable, but sometimes a friend can make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/it-was-deeply-a-part-of-lee-s-kindness-and-understanding-that-man-s/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“When we choose to operate on the frequency of compassion and kindness, we create, and reinforce our own reality, as filled with compassion and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raphael-zernoff/when-we-choose-to-operate-on-the-frequency-of-compassion-and-kindness/) [Raphael Zernoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raphael-zernoff/) > [“Actions are most important in life: act with love, kindness, understanding, and compassion toward others that they may bear witness to your belief(s).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-poirot/actions-are-most-important-in-life-act-with-love-kindness/) [Ken Poirot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-poirot/) > [Grace is the wonderful spirit that imbues every fiber of our being when we practice the fruits of the spirit: kindness, patience, understanding, forgiveness,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-cayce/grace-is-the-wonderful-spirit-that-imbues-every-fiber-of-our-being/) [Edgar Cayce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-cayce/) > [“He had despised that Mary with her idiot smile, symbol of a story that meant nothing, servant of a God who no good to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-hill/he-had-despised-that-mary-with-her-idiot-smile-symbol-of-a-story-that/) [Joe Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-hill/) > [My dream is to produce thousand Mary Koms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kom/my-dream-is-to-produce-thousand-mary-koms/) [Mary Kom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kom/) > [I was very engaged by the folk music movement.Bob Dylan; Joan Baez; Peter, Paul and Mary. 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