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
My mother... she is beautiful, softened at the edges and tempered with a spine of steel. I want to grow old and be like her.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote expresses admiration for a mother's strength and character, highlighting the desire to emulate her qualities.
In this quote, Jodi Picoult beautifully captures the essence of a mother as someone who possesses both grace and resilience. The phrase 'softened at the edges' suggests warmth and nurturing, while 'tempered with a spine of steel' points to inner strength and determination. It reflects a deep appreciation for the mother-daughter bond and a longing to inherit those admirable traits as the speaker matures.
Themes
MotherStrengthBeautyAdmirationCharacter
In practice
Example use cases
During a Mother's Day speech, to express appreciation for mothers everywhere.
More from Jodi Picoult
All quotes βWhether it was power they sought, or revenge, or love-well, those were all just different forms of hunger. The bigger the hole inside you, the more desperate you became to fill it.
Jodi PicoultRead
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.
Jodi PicoultRead
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.
Jodi PicoultRead
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
Similar quotes
It's interesting that I had such a close relationship with my grandfather. Because your parents always judge you: they say, 'You shouldn't do this, you shouldn't do that.' But with your grandparents you have a feeling that you can say anything or you can do anything, and they will support you. That's why you have this kind of connection.
Novak DjokovicRead
There are three degrees of filial piety. The highest is being a credit to our parents, the second is not disgracing them; the lowest is being able simply to support them.
ConfuciusRead
Dads are not a risk to be managed, but a resource to be used for the benefit of the whole family.
David LammyRead
As I've mentioned, a large part of my father's legacy is the lesson he taught his sons. He brought us together and said, 'The measure of a man is how well he provides for his children.
Sidney PoitierRead
When I looked at my mother, I always saw a bit of Ireland. And I suppose when I look to Ireland, I see a bit of my mother - her faith, her wit, her endurance.
Jean Kennedy SmithRead
We never knew we'd have kids playing pro football or going to Super Bowls. That wasn't ever a part of our plan in raising kids, so we really feel blessed.
Archie ManningRead