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When the fiddle had stopped singing Laura called out softly, "What are days of auld lang syne, Pa?" "They are the days of a long time ago, Laura," Pa said. "Go to sleep, now." But Laura lay awake a little while, listening to Pa's fiddle softly playing and to the lonely sound of the wind in the Big Woods,… She was glad that the cozy house, and Pa and Ma and the firelight and the music, were now. They could not be forgotten, she thought, because now is now. It can never be a long time ago.
Laura Ingalls Wilder
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote reflects on the importance of cherishing the present while remembering the past.

In this quote, Laura Ingalls Wilder captures a moment of nostalgia, highlighting the significance of today's experiences and how they will remain in our memories. The conversation between Laura and her father, Pa, signals an understanding that while the past is cherished, the present moment is what truly matters and cannot be forgotten as time moves forward.

Themes

NostalgiaPresentMemoryFamilyCherish

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about family values, one could say, 'As Laura Ingalls Wilder beautifully stated, the present is what matters most.'

More from Laura Ingalls Wilder

The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong.
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It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.
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Suffering passes, while love is eternal. That's a gift that you have received from God. Don't waste it.
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The true way to live is to enjoy every moment as it passes, and surely it is in the everyday things around us that the beauty of life lies.
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We who live in quiet places have the opportunity to become acquainted with ourselves, to think our own thoughts and live our own lives in a way that is not possible for those keeping up with the crowd.
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Every job is good if you do your best and work hard. A man who works hard stinks only to the ones that have nothing to do but smell.
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A little wisdom, now and then

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