Amazing things Quote by Mary Oliver
““Love Sorrow Love sorrow. She is yours now, and you must take care of what has been given. Brush her hair, help her into her little coat, hold her hand, especially when crossing a street. For, think, what if you should lose her? Then you would be sorrow yourself; her drawn face, her sleeplessness would be yours. Take care, touch her forehead that she feel herself not so utterly alone. And smile, that she does not altogether forget the world before the lesson. Have patience in abundance. And do not ever lie or ever leave her even for a moment by herself, which is to say, possibly, again, abandoned. She is strange, mute, difficult, sometimes unmanageable but, remember, she is a child. And amazing things can happen. And you may see, as the two of you go walking together in the morning light, how little by little she relaxes; she looks about her; she begins to grow.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Child” by Mary Oliver, 1990
A tender admonition to nurture and protect a vulnerable loved one, recognizing shared sorrow and the responsibility of care.
In simple terms: Protect a vulnerable loved one with patience and presence.
Key Takeaway
Be present, patient, and honest.
Themes
care
responsibility
empathy
growth
vulnerability
Mood
gentle
reflective
hopeful
Type
advice
philosophical
emotional
When to use this quote
- parenting
- caregiving
- mental health support
- friendship
- romantic partnership
Key Concepts
attachment
shared sorrow
parental love
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you show up for those who depend on you?
- What fears arise when you confront vulnerability?
A Different Perspective
Neglect or insincerity can deepen pain and cause lasting damage.
