--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But who knows how long a grief may last?…" description: "\"“But who knows how long a grief may last? Isn't it possible that, even thirty or forty years after the death of a child or a brother or a sister, one m..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8c/stephen-king-13_death_but-who-knows-how-long-a-grief-may-last_764856.jpg" --- # But who knows how long a grief may last? Isn't it possible… ![“But who knows how long a grief may last? Isn't it possible that, even thirty or forty years after the death of a child or a brother or a sister, one may half waken, thinking of that person with the same lost emptiness, that feeling of places which may never be filled... not even in death?” quote by Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8c/stephen-king-13_death_but-who-knows-how-long-a-grief-may-last_764856.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8c/stephen-king-13_death_but-who-knows-how-long-a-grief-may-last_764856.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8c/stephen-king-13_death_but-who-knows-how-long-a-grief-may-last_764856.jpg) > ““But who knows how long a grief may last? Isn't it possible that, even thirty or forty years after the death of a child or a brother or a sister, one may half waken, thinking of that person with the same lost emptiness, that feeling of places which may never be filled... not even in death?”” [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage contemplates the lingering, unfilled void of grief that can persist decades after loss, questioning whether such emptiness can ever be fully healed. **In simple terms:** Grief can leave a lasting, unfillable emptiness. Key Takeaway Allow time and support to ease lingering grief. Themes grief memory loneliness time healing Mood somber reflective empathetic Type personal philosophical When to use this quote - counseling - memorial rituals - writing memoirs - support groups Key Concepts psychology thanament existentialism Questions to Reflect On - How do you honor lasting loss? - What practices help you cope with lingering emptiness? A Different Perspective Grief may never fully disappear, only transform. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Grief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grief/) [Grief Isn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grief-isn-451733/) [Long Grief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-grief-2906152/) [Lost Emptiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lost-emptiness-5923648/) [Years Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years-death-775238/) ## Related quotes > [“we cried in each other’s arms and I thought that was the end, that we had finished the job of burying him with those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/we-cried-in-each-other-s-arms-and-i-thought-that-was-the-end-that-we/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [“I thought that was the end, that we had finished the job of burying him with those late tears. 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