--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This young woman knew that she would die…" description: "\"“This young woman knew that she would die in the next few days. But when I talked to her she was cheerful in spite of this knowledge. “I am grateful th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/512/viktor-e-frankl-668_eternal-life_this-young-woman-knew-that-she-would-die_1344918.jpg" --- # This young woman knew that she would die in the next few… ![“This young woman knew that she would die in the next few days. But when I talked to her she was cheerful in spite of this knowledge. “I am grateful that fate has hit me so hard,” she told me. “In my former life I was spoiled and did not take spiritual accomplishments seriously.” Pointing through…” quote by Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/512/viktor-e-frankl-668_eternal-life_this-young-woman-knew-that-she-would-die_1344918.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/512/viktor-e-frankl-668_eternal-life_this-young-woman-knew-that-she-would-die_1344918.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/512/viktor-e-frankl-668_eternal-life_this-young-woman-knew-that-she-would-die_1344918.jpg) > ““This young woman knew that she would die in the next few days. But when I talked to her she was cheerful in spite of this knowledge. “I am grateful that fate has hit me so hard,” she told me. “In my former life I was spoiled and did not take spiritual accomplishments seriously.” Pointing through the window of the hut, she said, “This tree here is the only friend I have in my loneliness.” Through that window she could see just one branch of a chestnut tree, and on the branch were two blossoms. “I often talk to this tree,” she said to me. I was startled and didn’t quite know how to take her words. Was she delirious? Did she have occasional hallucinations? Anxiously I asked her if the tree replied. “Yes.” What did it say to her? She answered, “It said to me, ‘I am here—I am here—I am life, eternal life.”” [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A dying woman finds comfort and purpose in a simple tree, seeing it as a symbol of eternal life and gratitude despite impending death. **In simple terms:** She finds hope in nature and gratitude for life. Key Takeaway Seek meaning even in suffering. Themes gratitude spirituality mortality resilience Mood reflective hopeful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - palliative care - grief counseling - spiritual retreats - personal reflection Key Concepts existentialism symbolism acceptance Questions to Reflect On - How can we find meaning in suffering? - What symbols help us feel connected? A Different Perspective Her perspective may be influenced by illness, not universally applicable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Eternal life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternal-life/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Young woman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young-woman/) ## Related quotes > [“The story of the young woman whose death I witnessed in a concentration camp. It is a simple story. There is little to tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/the-story-of-the-young-woman-whose-death-i-witnessed-in-a/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [“Hello," She said. There was a long silence. "Hello," said Artemis again. "Are you talking to me?" said the tree. It had a faint…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-phillips/hello-she-said-there-was-a-long-silence-hello-said-artemis-again-are/) [Marie Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-phillips/) > [I'm eternally grateful to fate and the citizens of Russia that they've trusted me to be the head of the Russian government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/i-m-eternally-grateful-to-fate-and-the-citizens-of-russia-that-they/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [“I had a dream about you last night... you sat in a cardboard box and said you were a tree.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-mckay/i-had-a-dream-about-you-last-night-you-sat-in-a-cardboard-box-and/) [Nicole McKay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-mckay/) > [“And after a long time the boy came back again. "I am sorry, Boy," said the tree, "but I have nothing left to give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shel-silverstein/and-after-a-long-time-the-boy-came-back-again-i-am-sorry-boy-said-the/) [Shel Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shel-silverstein/) > [“As we think about the next 50 years, I remember a story President Kennedy told a week before he was killed. The story was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/newton-n-minnow/as-we-think-about-the-next-50-years-i-remember-a-story-president/) Newton N. Minnow > [“As we walked back to the car, Johnny said, "A tree's one thing, but it's a big deal when you point a gun at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcewan/as-we-walked-back-to-the-car-johnny-said-a-tree-s-one-thing-but-it-s/) [Ian McEwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcewan/) > [“The Tree and the Reed "Well, little one," said a Tree to a Reed that was growing at its foot, "why do you not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/the-tree-and-the-reed-well-little-one-said-a-tree-to-a-reed-that-was/) [Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop/) > [“There's a tree," Starflight said, jumping to his feet. "In the forest." "No way ," Glory said. "A tree in the forest ?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tui-t-sutherland/there-s-a-tree-starflight-said-jumping-to-his-feet-in-the-forest-no/) [Tui T. Sutherland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tui-t-sutherland/) > [("Let's stand under a tree," she said. "Why?" "Because it's nicer." "Maybe you should sit on a chair, and I'll stand above you, like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-krauss/let-s-stand-under-a-tree-she-said-why-because-it-s-nicer-maybe-you/) [Nicole Krauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-krauss/) > [“See that tree?" It was a stubby cypress tree, all bent and twisted. "Yeah, I see it." "It's my favorite tree." "It's not that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-alire-s-enz/see-that-tree-it-was-a-stubby-cypress-tree-all-bent-and-twisted-yeah/) [Benjamin Alire Saenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-alire-s-enz/) > [“And then the thrashing of the wind against the house and then what might have been a volley of pistol shots, and then a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-mcdermott/and-then-the-thrashing-of-the-wind-against-the-house-and-then-what/) [Alice McDermott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-mcdermott/) > [NO tree it is said can grow to heaven unless its root reach down to hell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-tree-it-is-said-can-grow-to-heaven-unless-its-root-reach-down-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Delusional thinking, obviously, the other acorns concluded, but one of them continued to engage him in conversation: “So tell us, how would we become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beatrice-chestnut/delusional-thinking-obviously-the-other-acorns-concluded-but-one-of/) [Beatrice Chestnut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beatrice-chestnut/) > [As soon as I turned the key I saw it hanging, the color of fire and sunset. the colour of flamboyant flowers. ‘If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-rhys/as-soon-as-i-turned-the-key-i-saw-it-hanging-the-color-of-fire-and/) [Jean Rhys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-rhys/) ## More by Viktor E. Frankl > [For the meaning of life differs from man to man, from day to day and from hour to hour. What matters, therefore, is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/for-the-meaning-of-life-differs-from-man-to-man-from-day-to-day-and/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [“In the past, nothing is irretrievably lost, but rather, on the contrary, everything is irrevocably stored and treasured. To be sure, people tend to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/in-the-past-nothing-is-irretrievably-lost-but-rather-on-the-contrary/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [When a man finds that it is his destiny to suffer... his unique opportunity lies in the way he bears his burden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/when-a-man-finds-that-it-is-his-destiny-to-suffer-his-unique/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [“A positive attitude enables a person to endure suffering and disappointment as well as enhance enjoyment and satisfaction. A negative attitude intensifies pain and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/a-positive-attitude-enables-a-person-to-endure-suffering-and/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [“our sacrifice did have a meaning.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/our-sacrifice-did-have-a-meaning/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [Man's last freedom is his freedom to choose how he will react in any given situation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/man-s-last-freedom-is-his-freedom-to-choose-how-he-will-react-in-any/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [The more one forgets himself - by giving himself to a cause to serve or another person to love - the more human he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/the-more-one-forgets-himself-by-giving-himself-to-a-cause-to-serve-or/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [“There is nothing in the world, I venture to say, that would so effectively help one to survive even the worst conditions as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/there-is-nothing-in-the-world-i-venture-to-say-that-would-so/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [Man's search for meaning is the chief motivation of his life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/man-s-search-for-meaning-is-the-chief-motivation-of-his-life/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [In a last violent protest against the hopelessness of imminent death, I sensed my spirit piercing through the enveloping gloom. I felt it transcend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/in-a-last-violent-protest-against-the-hopelessness-of-imminent-death/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [“But happiness cannot be pursued; it must ensue.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/but-happiness-cannot-be-pursued-it-must-ensue/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [Being tolerant does not mean that I share another one's belief. But it does mean that I acknowledge another one's right to believe, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/being-tolerant-does-not-mean-that-i-share-another-one-s-belief-but-it/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [“I think it was Lessing who once said, 'There are things which must cause you to lose your reason or you have none to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/i-think-it-was-lessing-who-once-said-there-are-things-which-must/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [“I believe that my handicap will only enhance my ability to help others. I know that without the suffering, the growth that I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/i-believe-that-my-handicap-will-only-enhance-my-ability-to-help/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [“He main retain his human dignity even in a concentration camp. Dostoevsky said once, 'There is only one thing that I dread: not to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/he-main-retain-his-human-dignity-even-in-a-concentration-camp/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) [Explore all 381 Viktor E. Frankl quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) ## More Eternal life quotes > [Our thoughts are either focused on what's eternal, life-changing, and true, or lost in the details of our temporary, selfish, false beliefs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-groeschel/our-thoughts-are-either-focused-on-what-s-eternal-life-changing-and/) [Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/) > [“What about your funeral, eh?” She asks. “You mean the one that is never going to happen ever because I am going to gather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-wolf/what-about-your-funeral-eh-she-asks-you-mean-the-one-that-is-never/) [Sara Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-wolf/) > [The Baseball Hall of Fame is something every player dreams about, but being a member of God's Hall of Fame is the greatest achievement…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-carter/the-baseball-hall-of-fame-is-something-every-player-dreams-about-but/) [Gary Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-carter/) > [Intellectual methods-study and reason-are essential to our progress toward eternal life, but they are not sufficient. They can prepare the way. They can get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallin-h-oaks/intellectual-methods-study-and-reason-are-essential-to-our-progress/) [Dallin H. Oaks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallin-h-oaks/) > [“This life is just a bootcamp, to test and toughen us, to prepare us for the next life of service in some great adventure.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/this-life-is-just-a-bootcamp-to-test-and-toughen-us-to-prepare-us-for/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [Suppose that we are wise enough to learn and know-and yet not wise enough to control our learning and knowledge, so that we use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/suppose-that-we-are-wise-enough-to-learn-and-know-and-yet-not-wise/) [Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/) > [My plea therefore is this: Let us get our instruments tightly strung and our melodies sweetly sung. Let us not die with our music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-w-kimball/my-plea-therefore-is-this-let-us-get-our-instruments-tightly-strung/) [Spencer W. Kimball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-w-kimball/) > [Masonry inculcates faith in immortality as indispensable to moral living and urges its members to qualify for eternal life by the practice of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-e-hammond/masonry-inculcates-faith-in-immortality-as-indispensable-to-moral/) William E Hammond > [The fear of an eternal life compared to an inevitable death is that of a wise man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-queen/the-fear-of-an-eternal-life-compared-to-an-inevitable-death-is-that/) [Derek Queen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-queen/) > [“Our true reality is not a limited phenomenon, existing only between birth and death. It is eternal life that exists alone, self-existent and self-sufficient,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilchi-lee/our-true-reality-is-not-a-limited-phenomenon-existing-only-between/) [Ilchi Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilchi-lee/) > [“We live a short period of time in this world, but we live it according to the laws of eternal life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/we-live-a-short-period-of-time-in-this-world-but-we-live-it-according/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“ Programs has a temporary results leading to nothingness, and the Gospel the brings the result of Eternal life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommie-scott/programs-has-a-temporary-results-leading-to-nothingness-and-the/) Tommie Scott > [“Silently a flower blooms, In silence if falls away; Yet here now, at this moment, at this place, The world of the flower, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lilli-jolgren-day/silently-a-flower-blooms-in-silence-if-falls-away-yet-here-now-at/) Lilli Jolgren Day > [If we never leave our house except to drive to work, do we need to be even remotely aware of this powerful, humbling, extraordinary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/if-we-never-leave-our-house-except-to-drive-to-work-do-we-need-to-be/) [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) > [We have a commitment to serve our Lord. We have an assurance that the cause is just and worthy. But, above all, we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-w-kimball/we-have-a-commitment-to-serve-our-lord-we-have-an-assurance-that-the/) [Spencer W. Kimball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-w-kimball/) [Browse all 750 Eternal life quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternal-life/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“This young woman knew that she would die in the next few days. But when I talked to her she was cheerful in spite of this knowledge. “I am grateful that fate has hit me so hard,” she told me. “In my former life I was spoiled and did not take spiritual accomplishments seriously.” Pointing through the window of the hut, she said, “This tree here is the only friend I have in my loneliness.” Through that window she could see just one branch of a chestnut tree, and on the branch were two blossoms. “I often talk to this tree,” she said to me. I was startled and didn’t quite know how to take her words. Was she delirious? Did she have occasional hallucinations? Anxiously I asked her if the tree replied. “Yes.” What did it say to her? She answered, “It said to me, ‘I am here—I am here—I am life, eternal life.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Viktor E. 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