Loneliness had taught Harriet that there was always someone who understood - it was just so often that they were dead, and in a book.
Interpretation
Loneliness can lead to the realization that wisdom and understanding often come from those who have passed, particularly through literature.
In this quote by Eva Ibbotson, the speaker reflects on the profound lesson learned from loneliness: that connection and understanding can often be found through the written word. Although loved ones may no longer be present, their thoughts, feelings, and experiences can be explored in books, providing solace and companionship even in solitude.
In practice
Sharing this quote during a book club meeting to emphasize the importance of literature in overcoming loneliness.
Nothing can cost you someone you love. The only thing that can cost you your husband is if you believe a thought. That's how you move away from him. That's how the marriage ends. You are one with your husband until you believe the thought that he should look a certain way, he should give you something, he should be something other than what he is. That's how you divorce him. Right then and there you have lost your marriage.
There are many tough conversations, but one of the most difficult is between a parent and an adolescent daughter, partly because as a parent we are almost always attempting to relate to someone who is no longer there.
It feels like a simple human right to be able to be yourself, and yet, what trans people have to go through in order to get to there, it can be so complicated.
All I wanted to do was help kids not feel alone, and stop kids from committing suicide.
Each child’s story is worthy of telling. There shouldn’t be a sliding scale of death. The weight of it is crushing.
If we approach other people understanding our own value, being confident in who we are, being centered and grounded, it's actually easier for us to connect with them because we can listen more deeply and we can express ourselves more authentically without fear of being judged or not being enough.
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