--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I pull back, gasping for breath. Reeling…" description: "\"I pull back, gasping for breath. Reeling. His breath is ragged, and I place my hands on his cheeks to steady him. \"Is this okay?\" I whisper. \"Are you o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/562/stephanie-perkins-482_gasping_i-pull-back-gasping-for-breath-reeling-h_2183430.png" --- # I pull back, gasping for breath. Reeling. His breath is… ![“I pull back, gasping for breath. Reeling. His breath is ragged, and I place my hands on his cheeks to steady him. "Is this okay?" I whisper. "Are you okay?" His reply is anguished. Honest. "I love you."” quote by Stephanie Perkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/562/stephanie-perkins-482_gasping_i-pull-back-gasping-for-breath-reeling-h_2183430.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/562/stephanie-perkins-482_gasping_i-pull-back-gasping-for-breath-reeling-h_2183430.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/562/stephanie-perkins-482_gasping_i-pull-back-gasping-for-breath-reeling-h_2183430.png) > “I pull back, gasping for breath. Reeling. His breath is ragged, and I place my hands on his cheeks to steady him. "Is this okay?" I whisper. "Are you okay?" His reply is anguished. Honest. "I love you."” [Stephanie Perkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-perkins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A caring moment of concern, seeking reassurance and expressing love despite vulnerability. **In simple terms:** Caring, asking if okay, and saying love. Key Takeaway Offer support, be honest. Themes care vulnerability love reassurance Mood tender intimate Type romantic emotional When to use this quote - relationship crisis - health emergency - emotional support - conflict resolution Key Concepts intimacy emotional honesty support Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance caring for others and self‑care? - What does love look like in vulnerable moments? A Different Perspective Partner may reject help; fear of burden. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Breath Reeling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breath-reeling-4726795/) [Gasping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gasping/) [Gasping Breath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gasping-breath-588209/) [Hands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hands/) [Honest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honest/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Love you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-you/) [Okay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/okay/) [Pull Gasping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pull-gasping-4726797/) [Reeling Breath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reeling-breath-4726796/) [Steady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/steady/) ## Related quotes > [“When I’m with you, it’s like I’ve been seeing black-and-white and you’re the only spot of color; like I’m drowning and falling and gasping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-pawl/when-i-m-with-you-it-s-like-i-ve-been-seeing-black-and-white-and-you/) [Jacqueline Pawl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-pawl/) > [“There was some sort of commotion going on outside, and I decided I’d had enough. I went to the door and stuck my head…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-chance/there-was-some-sort-of-commotion-going-on-outside-and-i-decided-i-d/) [Karen Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-chance/) > [Start walking. When you hit a spot where you’re gasping for breath, that should tell us our limitations. (Xypher) Oh, joy. I can’t wait…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/start-walking-when-you-hit-a-spot-where-you-re-gasping-for-breath/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [When your eyes are fixed in the stare of unconsciousness, and your throat coughs the last gasping breath - as one dragged in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/when-your-eyes-are-fixed-in-the-stare-of-unconsciousness-and-your/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [“The scene was suddenly quiet. Fire became conscious of her own gasping breath and forced herself calm. 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After a minute or so of difficulty breathing, I realized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/i-woke-up-in-the-middle-of-the-night-suffocating-and-gasping-for/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“But just as she thought she had successfully hidden herself from the beautiful truth of the moment, eagerly welcoming unconsciousness or perhaps even better,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-elyon/but-just-as-she-thought-she-had-successfully-hidden-herself-from-the/) [Kristin Elyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-elyon/) > [Gasping for breath, the body still battling for life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/truman-capote/gasping-for-breath-the-body-still-battling-for-life/) [Truman Capote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/truman-capote/) > [“Take my body home to Terrasen, Sam,” she whispered. And with a gasping breath, she went under.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/take-my-body-home-to-terrasen-sam-she-whispered-and-with-a-gasping/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“We're both gasping for breath between our tears. It's intense. It's heartbreaking. It's devastating. It's ugly. It's over.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-hoover/we-re-both-gasping-for-breath-between-our-tears-it-s-intense-it-s/) [Colleen Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-hoover/) > [“He paused, gasping for breath, but continued in a soft, steady voice. "Allie, I...I love you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/he-paused-gasping-for-breath-but-continued-in-a-soft-steady-voice/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) ## More by Stephanie Perkins > [“This warmth over the telephone. Is it possible for home to be a person and not a place? Bridgette used to be home to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-perkins/this-warmth-over-the-telephone-is-it-possible-for-home-to-be-a-person/) [Stephanie Perkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-perkins/) > [“I wasn't being a git. I wasn't even being a twat, or a wanker, or any of your other bleeding Briticisms -”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-perkins/i-wasn-t-being-a-git-i-wasn-t-even-being-a-twat-or-a-wanker-or-any-of/) [Stephanie Perkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-perkins/) > [“You said on my birthday that you were afraid of being alone, but I’ve been here this whole time. This whole time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-perkins/you-said-on-my-birthday-that-you-were-afraid-of-being-alone-but-i-ve/) [Stephanie Perkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-perkins/) > [“Lola: Do you think things have to be easy? For it to work? Cricket: NO. 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Always happy to educate.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-perkins/thanks-i-forgot-how-to-flip-off-the-english-i-ll-use-the-correct-hand/) [Stephanie Perkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-perkins/) > [“Beautiful. He called me beautiful! But wait. I don't like Dave. Do I like Dave?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-perkins/beautiful-he-called-me-beautiful-but-wait-i-don-t-like-dave-do-i-like/) [Stephanie Perkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-perkins/) > [“You can't undo loss. You can't unmake a mistake.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-perkins/you-can-t-undo-loss-you-can-t-unmake-a-mistake/) [Stephanie Perkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-perkins/) > [“They didn’t talk much, but their silence was companionable.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-perkins/they-didn-t-talk-much-but-their-silence-was-companionable/) [Stephanie Perkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-perkins/) > [“We're enveloped in pitch black. "Wait here," I whisper. "Are you getting your ax?" "Handcuffs." "Kinky. But, okay, I'll try it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-perkins/we-re-enveloped-in-pitch-black-wait-here-i-whisper-are-you-getting/) [Stephanie Perkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-perkins/) > [“And, suddenly, I want to touch him. Not a push, or a shove, or even a friendly hug. I want to feel the creases…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-perkins/and-suddenly-i-want-to-touch-him-not-a-push-or-a-shove-or-even-a/) [Stephanie Perkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-perkins/) > [“My face is round, and my cheeks are pinchable, and my ears stick out farther than I'd like.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-perkins/my-face-is-round-and-my-cheeks-are-pinchable-and-my-ears-stick-out/) [Stephanie Perkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-perkins/) > [“There's something about blue eyes. The kind of blue that startles you every time they're lifted in your direction. The kind of blue that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-perkins/there-s-something-about-blue-eyes-the-kind-of-blue-that-startles-you/) [Stephanie Perkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-perkins/) > [“I'm a little distracted by this English French American Boy Masterpiece.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-perkins/i-m-a-little-distracted-by-this-english-french-american-boy/) [Stephanie Perkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-perkins/) [Explore all 500 Stephanie Perkins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-perkins/) ## More Gasping quotes > [“That doesn’'t happeneverytime you kiss someone, does it? ”" Maddox said to Chloe, gasping through the pain of his double injuries.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-livingston/that-doesn-t-happeneverytime-you-kiss-someone-does-it-maddox-said-to/) [Lesley Livingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-livingston/) > [“When I’m with you, it’s like I’ve been seeing black-and-white and you’re the only spot of color; like I’m drowning and falling and gasping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-pawl/when-i-m-with-you-it-s-like-i-ve-been-seeing-black-and-white-and-you/) [Jacqueline Pawl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-pawl/) > [“We're both gasping for breath between our tears. It's intense. It's heartbreaking. It's devastating. It's ugly. It's over.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-hoover/we-re-both-gasping-for-breath-between-our-tears-it-s-intense-it-s/) [Colleen Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-hoover/) > [“He was trying not to grin, but it was exceedingly difficult with Lady Penwood gasping like a fish on land.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-quinn/he-was-trying-not-to-grin-but-it-was-exceedingly-difficult-with-lady/) [Julia Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-quinn/) > [“I'll put my hand in no man's hand,' said Mr. Micawber, gasping, puffing, and sobbing, to that degree that he was like a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-ll-put-my-hand-in-no-man-s-hand-said-mr-micawber-gasping-puffing/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [“As he was gasping for air he realized something. He was in deep shit. Haley was his life now. His woman. His heart. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-l-mathewson/as-he-was-gasping-for-air-he-realized-something-he-was-in-deep-shit/) [R.L. Mathewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-l-mathewson/) > [“I listened to their last, gasping cries. Their vanishing words. I watched their love visions and freed them from their fear. I took them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/i-listened-to-their-last-gasping-cries-their-vanishing-words-i/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [“Er Lang examined his shoes in dismay. “You should have told me there was mud down here.” “Is that all you can say?” But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yangsze-choo/er-lang-examined-his-shoes-in-dismay-you-should-have-told-me-there/) [Yangsze Choo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yangsze-choo/) > [“Warner has collapsed in the corner. 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It’ll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/you-okay-eve-asked-her-claire-nodded-still-gasping-yeah-i-know-terror/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [“Weights He buys me a ring with, you are the only thing I am living for, engraved along the edge and when I slip…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-hewer/weights-he-buys-me-a-ring-with-you-are-the-only-thing-i-am-living-for/) [Elisabeth Hewer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-hewer/) [Browse all 94 Gasping quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gasping/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I pull back, gasping for breath. Reeling. His breath is ragged, and I place my hands on his cheeks to steady him. \"Is this okay?\" I whisper. \"Are you okay?\" His reply is anguished. 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