---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I understood then that when you miss a…"
description: "\"“I understood then that when you miss a thing it leaves a hole that only the thing you miss can fill.”\" — Richard Wagamese"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a09/richard-wagamese-23762_quote_i-understood-then-that-when-you-miss-a-t_1793031.jpg"
---

#  I understood then that when you miss a thing it leaves a…

![“I understood then that when you miss a thing it leaves a hole that only the thing you miss can fill.” quote by Richard Wagamese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a09/richard-wagamese-23762_quote_i-understood-then-that-when-you-miss-a-t_1793031.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a09/richard-wagamese-23762_quote_i-understood-then-that-when-you-miss-a-t_1793031.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a09/richard-wagamese-23762_quote_i-understood-then-that-when-you-miss-a-t_1793031.jpg)

> ““I understood then that when you miss a thing it leaves a hole that only the thing you miss can fill.””

[Richard Wagamese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-wagamese/)

## About This Quote

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

Missing something creates a void that only the missing element can fill, highlighting the uniqueness of each loss.

**In simple terms:** Loss leaves a unique void.

Key Takeaway

Acknowledge and honor what’s missing.

Themes

grief loss identity healing

Mood

somber hopeful

Type

reflective inspirational

When to use this quote

- bereavement counseling
- creative writing
- family dynamics

Key Concepts

attachment theory personal narrative

Questions to Reflect On

- What void do you feel in your life?
- How can you honor what’s missing?

A Different Perspective

May suggest only one solution to fill the void.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

## Related quotes

> [It doesn't matter what it is that leaves a hole inside you. It just matters that it’s there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/it-doesn-t-matter-what-it-is-that-leaves-a-hole-inside-you-it-just/)

[Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/)

> [Moving on, is a simple thing, what it leaves behind is hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-mustaine/moving-on-is-a-simple-thing-what-it-leaves-behind-is-hard/)

[Dave Mustaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-mustaine/)

> [When one thing leaves your life, it leaves room for something better to walk in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-one-thing-leaves-your-life-it-leaves-room-for-something-better/)

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

> [When you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammara-webber/when-you-find-yourself-in-a-hole-the-first-thing-to-do-is-stop-digging/)

[Tammara Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammara-webber/)

> [“If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging. —WILL ROGERS”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-allen/if-you-find-yourself-in-a-hole-the-first-thing-to-do-is-stop-digging-2/)

[David Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-allen/)

> [If you find yourself in a hole the first thing to do is stop digging](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/church-bulletin-board/if-you-find-yourself-in-a-hole-the-first-thing-to-do-is-stop-digging/)

Church Bulletin Board

> [The only thing I miss on stage is the falsetto.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-gibb/the-only-thing-i-miss-on-stage-is-the-falsetto/)

[Barry Gibb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-gibb/)

> [The thing I miss the most about Scotland is the football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-carlyle/the-thing-i-miss-the-most-about-scotland-is-the-football/)

[Robert Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-carlyle/)

> [The only thing I miss in you the most is something that I can't even describe its beautiful, the best thing in the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-thing-i-miss-in-you-the-most-is-something-that-i-can-t-even/)

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

> [I miss: not caring what I looked like, not worried if he liked me, when swearing was such a bad thing, but what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-miss-not-caring-what-i-looked-like-not-worried-if-he-liked-me-when/)

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

> [“No, sweetheart. But the only thing I’d miss if I went back now would be you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-harvey-berrick/no-sweetheart-but-the-only-thing-i-d-miss-if-i-went-back-now-would-be/)

[Jane Harvey-Berrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-harvey-berrick/)

> [I miss your voice i miss you face i miss every little thing i miss you I really do](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-miss-your-voice-i-miss-you-face-i-miss-every-little-thing-i-miss/)

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

> [That's one thing I miss, just being anonymous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carey-price/that-s-one-thing-i-miss-just-being-anonymous/)

[Carey Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carey-price/)

> [“The thing I miss most from home, is having a home.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-liccione/the-thing-i-miss-most-from-home-is-having-a-home/)

[Anthony Liccione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-liccione/)

> [There's one thing that I miss day in, day out and its YOU. I miss you baby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josephine/there-s-one-thing-that-i-miss-day-in-day-out-and-its-you-i-miss-you/)

[Josephine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josephine/)

## More by Richard Wagamese

> [“Use the act of breathing to shape air into sounds that take on the context of language that lifts and transports those who hear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-wagamese/use-the-act-of-breathing-to-shape-air-into-sounds-that-take-on-the/)

[Richard Wagamese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-wagamese/)

> [“The towns and the players are all different. But the game is always the same, its speed and power. Hockey’s grace and poetry make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-wagamese/the-towns-and-the-players-are-all-different-but-the-game-is-always/)

[Richard Wagamese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-wagamese/)

> [“I gave them nothing back because all I knew was the vast amount they had taken from me, robbed me of, cheated me out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-wagamese/i-gave-them-nothing-back-because-all-i-knew-was-the-vast-amount-they/)

[Richard Wagamese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-wagamese/)

> [“But there were always things swimming around in me that I could neither hold on to long enough to comprehend or learn to live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-wagamese/but-there-were-always-things-swimming-around-in-me-that-i-could/)

[Richard Wagamese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-wagamese/)

> [“We were hockey gypsies, heading down another gravel road every weekend, plowing into the heart of that magnificent northern landscape. We never gave a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-wagamese/we-were-hockey-gypsies-heading-down-another-gravel-road-every-weekend/)

[Richard Wagamese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-wagamese/)

> [“When your innocence is stripped from you, when your people are denigrated, when the family you came from is denounced and your tribal ways…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-wagamese/when-your-innocence-is-stripped-from-you-when-your-people-are/)

[Richard Wagamese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-wagamese/)

> [“Benjamin and I sat in the middle of one of the large canoes with our grandmother in the stern, directing us past shoals and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-wagamese/benjamin-and-i-sat-in-the-middle-of-one-of-the-large-canoes-with-our/)

[Richard Wagamese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-wagamese/)

> [“All that we are is story. From the moment we are born to the time we continue on our spirit journey, we are involved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-wagamese/all-that-we-are-is-story-from-the-moment-we-are-born-to-the-time-we/)

[Richard Wagamese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-wagamese/)

> [“We become eternal by being held in memory's loving arms.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-wagamese/we-become-eternal-by-being-held-in-memory-s-loving-arms/)

[Richard Wagamese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-wagamese/)

> [“For my wife Deborah, for allowing me to bask in her light and become more.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-wagamese/for-my-wife-deborah-for-allowing-me-to-bask-in-her-light-and-become/)

[Richard Wagamese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-wagamese/)

> [“That's what's important really, Keeper says. Learning how to be what the Creator created you to be. Face your truth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-wagamese/that-s-what-s-important-really-keeper-says-learning-how-to-be-what/)

[Richard Wagamese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-wagamese/)

> [“Time doesn’t exist. Pardon me? Time. It doesn’t exist. Did you know that? No. Sometimes it seems like it’s all that’s real. Like time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-wagamese/time-doesn-t-exist-pardon-me-time-it-doesn-t-exist-did-you-know-that/)

[Richard Wagamese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-wagamese/)

> [“We need mystery,” she said. “Creator in her wisdom knew this. Mystery fills us with awe and wonder. They are the foundations of humility,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-wagamese/we-need-mystery-she-said-creator-in-her-wisdom-knew-this-mystery/)

[Richard Wagamese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-wagamese/)

> [“There is such a powerful eloquence in silence. True genius is knowing when to say nothing, to allow the experience, the moment itself, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-wagamese/there-is-such-a-powerful-eloquence-in-silence-true-genius-is-knowing/)

[Richard Wagamese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-wagamese/)

> [“I discovered that being someone you are not is often easier than living with the person you are.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-wagamese/i-discovered-that-being-someone-you-are-not-is-often-easier-than/)

[Richard Wagamese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-wagamese/)

[Explore all 25 Richard Wagamese quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-wagamese/)

## More Thing Miss quotes

> [“The thing I miss most from home, is having a home.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-liccione/the-thing-i-miss-most-from-home-is-having-a-home/)

[Anthony Liccione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-liccione/)

> [That's one thing I miss, just being anonymous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carey-price/that-s-one-thing-i-miss-just-being-anonymous/)

[Carey Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carey-price/)

> [I miss your voice i miss you face i miss every little thing i miss you I really do](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-miss-your-voice-i-miss-you-face-i-miss-every-little-thing-i-miss/)

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

> [“No, sweetheart. But the only thing I’d miss if I went back now would be you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-harvey-berrick/no-sweetheart-but-the-only-thing-i-d-miss-if-i-went-back-now-would-be/)

[Jane Harvey-Berrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-harvey-berrick/)

> [The thing I miss the most about Scotland is the football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-carlyle/the-thing-i-miss-the-most-about-scotland-is-the-football/)

[Robert Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-carlyle/)

> [The only thing I miss on stage is the falsetto.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-gibb/the-only-thing-i-miss-on-stage-is-the-falsetto/)

[Barry Gibb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-gibb/)

> [There's one thing that I miss day in, day out and its YOU. I miss you baby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josephine/there-s-one-thing-that-i-miss-day-in-day-out-and-its-you-i-miss-you/)

[Josephine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josephine/)

> [The only thing I miss in you the most is something that I can't even describe its beautiful, the best thing in the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-thing-i-miss-in-you-the-most-is-something-that-i-can-t-even/)

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

> [I miss: not caring what I looked like, not worried if he liked me, when swearing was such a bad thing, but what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-miss-not-caring-what-i-looked-like-not-worried-if-he-liked-me-when/)

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

> [One thing you can't miss in your suitcase is a hat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-conrad/one-thing-you-can-t-miss-in-your-suitcase-is-a-hat/)

[Lauren Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-conrad/)

> [There is one thing I do miss in L.A. I love autumn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christoph-waltz/there-is-one-thing-i-do-miss-in-l-a-i-love-autumn/)

[Christoph Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christoph-waltz/)

> [“And every single thing you ever did that bothered me, is every single thing I miss.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pleasefindthis/and-every-single-thing-you-ever-did-that-bothered-me-is-every-single/)

pleasefindthis

> [The thing I miss about performing is being with people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-federle/the-thing-i-miss-about-performing-is-being-with-people/)

[Tim Federle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-federle/)

> [The worst thing you can do if you miss or need someone is let them know it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/the-worst-thing-you-can-do-if-you-miss-or-need-someone-is-let-them/)

[Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/)

> [I can't work without a Good L.A. weed. That's the thing you miss the most.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flying-lotus/i-can-t-work-without-a-good-l-a-weed-that-s-the-thing-you-miss-the/)

[Flying Lotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flying-lotus/)

Browse all 18 Thing Miss quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“I understood then that when you miss a thing it leaves a hole that only the thing you miss can fill.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Richard Wagamese"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-wagamese/i-understood-then-that-when-you-miss-a-thing-it-leaves-a-hole-that/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Thing Miss"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-wagamese/i-understood-then-that-when-you-miss-a-thing-it-leaves-a-hole-that/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a09/richard-wagamese-23762_quote_i-understood-then-that-when-you-miss-a-t_1793031.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a09/richard-wagamese-23762_quote_i-understood-then-that-when-you-miss-a-t_1793031.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a09/richard-wagamese-23762_quote_i-understood-then-that-when-you-miss-a-t_1793031.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I understood then that when you miss a thing it leaves a hole that only the thing you miss can fill.” — Richard Wagamese",
                "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": "Richard Wagamese",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-wagamese/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“I understood then that when you...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-wagamese/i-understood-then-that-when-you-miss-a-thing-it-leaves-a-hole-that/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-wagamese/i-understood-then-that-when-you-miss-a-thing-it-leaves-a-hole-that/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
