But where, after we have made the great decision to leave the security of childhood and move on into the vastness of maturity, does anybody ever feel completely at home?
Interpretation
The quote reflects on the discomfort and uncertainty that often accompany the transition from childhood to adulthood.
Madeleine L'Engle's quote captures the essence of growing up and the challenges that come with maturity. It suggests that the leap from the familiarity and security of childhood into the complex world of adulthood can be unsettling, leaving one to question whether true comfort and belonging can ever be found in adulthood. The vastness of maturity presents uncertainties that often leave individuals feeling out of place, seeking a sense of home that remains elusive.
In practice
During a graduation speech, this quote can emphasize the uncertain journey into adulthood.
Truth is what is true, and it's not necessarily factual. Truth and fact are not the same thing. Truth does not contradict or deny facts, but it goes through and beyond facts. This is something that it is very difficult for some people to understand. Truth can be dangerous.
George MacDonald gives me renewed strength during times of trouble--times when I have seen people tempted to deny God--when he says, "The Son of God suffered unto death, not that men might not suffer, but that their sufferings might be like his.
If you don't recount your family history, it will be lost. Honor your own stories and tell them too. The tales may not seem very important, but they are what binds families and makes each of us who we are.
I never want to lose the story-loving child within me, or the adolescent, or the young woman, or the middle-aged one, because all together they help me to be fully alive on this journey, and show me that I must be willing to go where it takes me, even through the valley of the shadow.
The minute we begin to think we have all the answers, we forget the questions.
When we believe in the impossible, it becomes possible, and we can do all kinds of extraordinary things.
So you can't dance? Not at all? Not even one step? How can you say that you've taken any trouble to live when you won't even dance?
It's okay, girl, we'll make it till the sun goes down forever. And until then what you got to lose but the losing? We're fallen angels who didn't believe that nothing means nothing.
Adulthood isn't an award they'll give you for being a good child. You can waste years, trying to get someone to give that respect to you, as though it were a sort of promotion or raise in pay. If only you do enough, if only you are good enough. No. You have to just take it. Give it to yourself, I suppose. Say, I'm sorry you feel like that and walk away. But that's hard
I am younger each year at the first snow. When I see it, suddenly, in the air, all little and white and moving; _x000D_ then I am in love again and very young and I believe everything.
The truth is, I'm just a rough old New Zealander who has enjoyed many challenges in his life.
It was then that Hook bit him. Not the pain of this but its unfairness was what dazed Peter. It made him quite helpless. He could only stare, horrified. Every child is affected thus the first time he is treated unfairly. All he thinks he has a right to when he comes to you to be yours is fairness. After you have been unfair to him he will love you again, but he will never afterwards be quite the same boy. No one ever gets over the first unfairness; no one except Peter.
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