Normal, in our house, is like a blanket too short for a bed--sometimes it covers you just fine, and other times it leaves you cold and shaking; and worst of all, you never know which of the two it's going to be.
Jodi PicoultRead
Here's what I hadn't realized: the mother you haven't seen for almost thirty-six years isn't your mother, she's a stranger. Sharing DNA doesn't make you fast friends. This wasn't a joyous reunion. It was just awkward.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the emotional complexity of reconnecting with a parent after a long absence, emphasizing that biological ties don't guarantee closeness.
In this quote, Jodi Picoult reflects on the experience of reuniting with a mother after a long period of separation, suggesting that despite the genetic bond, the relationship feels unfamiliar and strained. It underscores the idea that relationships require more than shared DNA to foster connection and intimacy, hinting at the deep emotional impact of absence and the reality that familial ties can sometimes lead to awkwardness rather than comfort.
Themes
FamilyRelationshipsReunionEmotionStranger
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a family therapy setting to discuss the complexities of estranged relationships.
More from Jodi Picoult
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she told me she'd be a phoenix." The image of the mythical creature rising from the ashes glitters in my mind. "They don't really exist." "She said that depends on whether or not there's someone who can see them.
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for 100,000 (dollars), you [can] flatten a house with a wrecking ball. Imagine how much less it [takes] to destroy something than it [does] to build it in the first place.
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But if you seek forgiveness, doesn't that automatically mean you cannot be a monster? By definition, doesn't that desperation make you human again?
Jodi PicoultRead
when you [lose someone], it feels like the hole in your gum when a tooth falls out. You can chew, you can eat, you have plenty of other teeth, but your tongue keeps going back to that empty place, where all nerves are still a little raw
Jodi PicoultRead
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