Children Quote by Parnaz Foroutan
““You carried your infant daughter in one arm, and walked with me, a child six years of age, tired, trudging beside you. You left that nightmare behind. And you left behind other things, too. The elm trees that lined your street. The familiar scent of autumn. The baker's smile when he handed you the fresh bread, the song of the peddlers in the street, the sound of strangers around you talking, haggling, buying, singing, speaking, fighting in a language you understood. Your friends. Your career. Your home. Your dreams. Your family. Your memories. Pots, pans, the fine silver spoons and forks. Photographs. Heirlooms. Your favorite dresses. Your father's grave. The colorful wares of the markets at the new year. Streets you knew by name. Cab drivers who recited poetry. The halls of your old university. You left whatever you couldn't fit into a single suitcase behind you and closed the door of your home for the last time, the dishes washed, the beds made, the curtains drawn, thinking, "Perhaps, perhaps we will come back," and you shut the door, and left, without knowing if you'd ever find home again.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Long Journey Home by ParNaz Foroutan, 2020
Leaving home forces one to abandon familiar comforts, memories, and identity, confronting uncertainty about belonging.
In simple terms: Leaving home means losing many cherished things.
Embrace change while honoring what you leave behind.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- immigration
- personal transition
- grief
- rebuilding life
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What memories anchor you during upheaval?
- How can you create new roots quickly?
The emotional weight may overwhelm and cause longing.