---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ...Closing his eyes, he saw every smile…"
description: "\"“...Closing his eyes, he saw every smile that Rebecca had ever directed his way and knew a pang of regret. He would have liked to have held her in his ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/415/lorraine-heath-2089_jake_closing-his-eyes-he-saw-every-smile-that_1659060.jpg"
---

#  ...Closing his eyes, he saw every smile that Rebecca had…

![“...Closing his eyes, he saw every smile that Rebecca had ever directed his way and knew a pang of regret. He would have liked to have held her in his arms one last time before he died.” quote by Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/415/lorraine-heath-2089_jake_closing-his-eyes-he-saw-every-smile-that_1659060.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/415/lorraine-heath-2089_jake_closing-his-eyes-he-saw-every-smile-that_1659060.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/415/lorraine-heath-2089_jake_closing-his-eyes-he-saw-every-smile-that_1659060.jpg)

> ““...Closing his eyes, he saw every smile that Rebecca had ever directed his way and knew a pang of regret. He would have liked to have held her in his arms one last time before he died.””

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He regrets not holding Rebecca once more before death, recalling all her smiles.

**In simple terms:** Regret over missed final moments with a loved one.

Key Takeaway

Cherish present moments.

Themes

love regret mortality

Mood

somber reflective

Type

emotional inspirational

When to use this quote

- end‑of‑life care
- personal reflection
- grief counseling

Key Concepts

memory loss relationships

Questions to Reflect On

- What can we do today to avoid future regrets?
- How does remembering love affect grief?

A Different Perspective

Focusing on regret can hinder healing.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Lorraine-heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lorraine-heath/) [Regret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regret/) [Sweet-lullaby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sweet-lullaby/)

## Related quotes

> [“Jake was hurting, emotionally and physically, and he was exhausted. He stared at her in wonder. "You're going to name him after me?" "I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/jake-was-hurting-emotionally-and-physically-and-he-was-exhausted-he/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

> [“You are the politest man I know, Jake Burnett." "Had politeness beat into me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/you-are-the-politest-man-i-know-jake-burnett-had-politeness-beat-into/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

> [“I almost envy your horse," she said, "because these thighs hug him all day." -Rebecca to Jake”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/i-almost-envy-your-horse-she-said-because-these-thighs-hug-him-all/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

> [“...When she'd skillfully turned it back towards the herd, Rebecca lifted an arm to wave at Jake, her smile vis­ible even from this distance.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/when-she-d-skillfully-turned-it-back-towards-the-herd-rebecca-lifted/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

> [“I was proud of you today, handling William Long the way you did." Her fingers stilled. "What did you think of him the first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/i-was-proud-of-you-today-handling-william-long-the-way-you-did-her/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

> [“He ducked down under the wooden slats used to separate the stalls in the barn and crawled into the adjacent stall where he began…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/he-ducked-down-under-the-wooden-slats-used-to-separate-the-stalls-in/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

> [“Her eyes shot up to his, expressing gratitude. He ignored the pain her obvious relief brought him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/her-eyes-shot-up-to-his-expressing-gratitude-he-ignored-the-pain-her/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

> [“He was lying in bed with the woman he loved . . . a woman he couldn't make love to. He closed his eyes.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/he-was-lying-in-bed-with-the-woman-he-loved-a-woman-he-couldn-t-make/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

> [“Rebecca tilted her face up to Jake and she felt his lips brushing lightly against hers. Then his lips were beside her ear, whispering,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/rebecca-tilted-her-face-up-to-jake-and-she-felt-his-lips-brushing/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

> [“Jake?" "Mmm?" "I like it when you spend the day thinking." He brought his head up, twinkling eyes and a mischie­vous grin gracing his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/jake-mmm-i-like-it-when-you-spend-the-day-thinking-he-brought-his/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

> [“Miss Velvet." "Lord, darlin'. You're the only man in this state who would tip his hat to a whore." She ushered the other women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/miss-velvet-lord-darlin-you-re-the-only-man-in-this-state-who-would/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

> [“He heard a soft voice calling him and turned towards it, trying to focus the vision before him. It wasn't his mother. If he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/he-heard-a-soft-voice-calling-him-and-turned-towards-it-trying-to/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

> [“Please," Meg whispered. "I don't want any trouble here." He released his hold on her. As though she might say something further, she parted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/please-meg-whispered-i-don-t-want-any-trouble-here-he-released-his/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

> [“Within the shadows of honor, courage often walks in silence. -Engraved on the monument Clay built”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/within-the-shadows-of-honor-courage-often-walks-in-silence-engraved/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

> [“He skidded to a dead halt and stared hard at Austin. The boy’s chin carried so many nicks from his first shave that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/he-skidded-to-a-dead-halt-and-stared-hard-at-austin-the-boy-s-chin/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

## More by Lorraine Heath

> [“You know the legend, lady, but you don’t know the man. And damn if I’m not tempted to introduce you to the man.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/you-know-the-legend-lady-but-you-don-t-know-the-man-and-damn-if-i-m/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

> [Have you ever wanted something so badly that you would do anything, believe anything in order to acquire it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/have-you-ever-wanted-something-so-badly-that-you-would-do-anything/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

> [“She laid her palm against his bristled cheek. “You’re safe,” she whispered. “What the hell did you think you were doing?” he growled, his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/she-laid-her-palm-against-his-bristled-cheek-you-re-safe-she/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

> [“Her features were exquisite perfection, carved by nature with obvious care and never altered by the harshness of life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/her-features-were-exquisite-perfection-carved-by-nature-with-obvious/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

> [“He skidded to a dead halt and stared hard at Austin. The boy’s chin carried so many nicks from his first shave that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/he-skidded-to-a-dead-halt-and-stared-hard-at-austin-the-boy-s-chin/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

> [Choose well those with whom you travel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/choose-well-those-with-whom-you-travel/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

> [“You managed to do the same with my heart, didn’t you, Frannie? You stole it, and I didn’t even feel it happening.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/you-managed-to-do-the-same-with-my-heart-didn-t-you-frannie-you-stole/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

> [“The one thing I learned in my youth as a grave robber was that everyone looks the same when they're dead. We're all equal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/the-one-thing-i-learned-in-my-youth-as-a-grave-robber-was-that/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

> [“She wondered if any of them had truly understood the cost of what they were asking of each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/she-wondered-if-any-of-them-had-truly-understood-the-cost-of-what/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

> [“He could not take what he could never keep.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/he-could-not-take-what-he-could-never-keep/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

> [“Within the shadows of honor, courage often walks in silence. -Engraved on the monument Clay built”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/within-the-shadows-of-honor-courage-often-walks-in-silence-engraved/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

> [“Please," Meg whispered. "I don't want any trouble here." He released his hold on her. As though she might say something further, she parted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/please-meg-whispered-i-don-t-want-any-trouble-here-he-released-his/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

> [“...at the end she’d be nothing more than a memory, if that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/at-the-end-she-d-be-nothing-more-than-a-memory-if-that/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

> [“You think the only battles fought are done so with rifles, and the only wounds that kill draw blood. You think courage is loud,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/you-think-the-only-battles-fought-are-done-so-with-rifles-and-the/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

> [“Somewhere to take shelter from the elements but not the storms of life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/somewhere-to-take-shelter-from-the-elements-but-not-the-storms-of-life/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

[Explore all 186 Lorraine Heath quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

## More Jake quotes

> [Dan," she said. "I'm worried about him. It's not right that a thirteen-year-old knows as much as he does bout stealing things." " You're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-smith/dan-she-said-i-m-worried-about-him-it-s-not-right-that-a-thirteen/)

[Roland Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-smith/)

> [Emil Nava brother is Jake Nava, who did Beyonce's Crazy In Love and stuff. He's always lived in his brother's shadow, and this is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/emil-nava-brother-is-jake-nava-who-did-beyonce-s-crazy-in-love-and/)

[Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/)

> [Thou whoreson zed! Thou unnecessary letter! My lord, if you will give me leave, I will tread this unbolted villain into mortar, and daub…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/thou-whoreson-zed-thou-unnecessary-letter-my-lord-if-you-will-give-me/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [McDonalds needs a 3rd window so you can trade in all the wrong shit they gave you at the 2nd window](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/mcdonalds-needs-a-3rd-window-so-you-can-trade-in-all-the-wrong-shit/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“Afterwards, sitting on my bunk, I cried. I read somewhere that when you’re a kid it’s people’s cruelty that makes you cry, then when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-duncan/afterwards-sitting-on-my-bunk-i-cried-i-read-somewhere-that-when-you/)

[Glen Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-duncan/)

> [Jake was close to tears. In that moment he saw the world in its true light, as a place where nothing had ever been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kingsley-amis/jake-was-close-to-tears-in-that-moment-he-saw-the-world-in-its-true/)

[Kingsley Amis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kingsley-amis/)

> [“Happily Ever After, if it exists, is the result of working through adversity, proving who you are as a team. It's not some magical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-develin/happily-ever-after-if-it-exists-is-the-result-of-working-through/)

Sean Develin

> [Nice girl who knew cars. Wow. I stared at her face harder, wishing I knew how to make it work. C’mon, Jake – imprint…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephenie-meyer/nice-girl-who-knew-cars-wow-i-stared-at-her-face-harder-wishing-i/)

[Stephenie Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephenie-meyer/)

> [Jake's mouth found mine, his lips molding hot and soft to my own. His tongue tentatively tested the seal of my lips; I parted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-lanyon/jake-s-mouth-found-mine-his-lips-molding-hot-and-soft-to-my-own-his/)

[Josh Lanyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-lanyon/)

> [I love you," Jake whispered. "Are you strong enough for this?" I made myself comfortable. Said over my shoulder, "Sure." "Would you tell me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-lanyon/i-love-you-jake-whispered-are-you-strong-enough-for-this-i-made/)

[Josh Lanyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-lanyon/)

> [“Thus began a break of undetermined length and meaning.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-slichter/thus-began-a-break-of-undetermined-length-and-meaning/)

Jacob Slichter

> [I remember my first commercial. This is really great 'Degrassi' trivia: The character Toby on 'Degrassi,' played by Jake Goldsbie, he and I were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-arnold/i-remember-my-first-commercial-this-is-really-great-degrassi-trivia/)

[Charlotte Arnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-arnold/)

> [The T.D. Jakes Relationship Bible: Life Lessons on Relationships from the Inspired Word of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-d-jakes/the-t-d-jakes-relationship-bible-life-lessons-on-relationships-from/)

[T. D. Jakes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-d-jakes/)

> [The only reason Jake 'The Snake' Roberts doesn't drink and drive anymore is because he is afraid he might hit a bump and spill…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-lawler/the-only-reason-jake-the-snake-roberts-doesn-t-drink-and-drive/)

[Jerry Lawler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-lawler/)

> [“Miss Velvet." "Lord, darlin'. You're the only man in this state who would tip his hat to a whore." She ushered the other women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/miss-velvet-lord-darlin-you-re-the-only-man-in-this-state-who-would/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

Browse all 136 Jake quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“...Closing his eyes, he saw every smile that Rebecca had ever directed his way and knew a pang of regret. He would have liked to have held her in his arms one last time before he died.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Lorraine Heath"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/closing-his-eyes-he-saw-every-smile-that-rebecca-had-ever-directed/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Jake"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/closing-his-eyes-he-saw-every-smile-that-rebecca-had-ever-directed/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/415/lorraine-heath-2089_jake_closing-his-eyes-he-saw-every-smile-that_1659060.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/415/lorraine-heath-2089_jake_closing-his-eyes-he-saw-every-smile-that_1659060.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/415/lorraine-heath-2089_jake_closing-his-eyes-he-saw-every-smile-that_1659060.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“...Closing his eyes, he saw every smile that Rebecca had ever directed his way and knew a pang of regret. He…” — Lorraine Heath",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Lorraine Heath",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“...Closing his eyes, he saw every...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/closing-his-eyes-he-saw-every-smile-that-rebecca-had-ever-directed/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/closing-his-eyes-he-saw-every-smile-that-rebecca-had-ever-directed/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
