Father Quote by Miriam Toews
“With my father and sister being very depressed for most of their lives, it was incumbent on me to try to make them laugh, in this ridiculous way. They were the wittiest people I knew, but to get a smile from them was like winning the lottery.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: All My Friends Are Superheroes by Miriam Toews, 2019
The narrator feels compelled to bring joy to loved ones who are chronically sad, seeing laughter as a rare, valuable achievement.
In simple terms: Trying to make depressed family members laugh feels like a huge win.
Key Takeaway
Seek small ways to brighten others' days.
Themes
family
mental health
humor
resilience
Mood
hopeful
reflective
Type
inspirational
empathetic
When to use this quote
- family gatherings
- caregiver moments
- personal relationships
- mental health support
Key Concepts
empathy
coping mechanisms
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance humor with genuine emotional support?
- What other ways can you uplift loved ones?
A Different Perspective
Humor may not fully alleviate deep depression and can feel forced.
![“And then I laugh, because it's so ridiculous and so gorgeous and it's all I can do to not melt into a fit of giggles. [...] If they're willing to accept me and my guilty conscience, why the hell shouldn't I run away with the circus?” quote by Sara Gruen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e02/sara-gruen-3385_change_and-then-i-laugh-because-it-s-so-ridicul_3211310.jpg)
