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
I have a sister, so I know-that relationship, it's all about fairness: you want your sibling to have exactly what you have-the same amount of toys, the same number of meatballs on your spaghetti, the same share of love. But being a mother is completely different. You want your child to have more than you ever did. You want to build a fire underneath her and watch her soar. It's bigger than words.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote contrasts sibling relationships with parent-child relationships, emphasizing a parent's desire for their child's success.
In this quote, Jodi Picoult reflects on the complexities of familial relationships, particularly how the bond between siblings often revolves around equality and fairness, while the bond between a parent and child is driven by a deeper instinct to provide for and support the child's growth and success. A parent typically wants their child to surpass their own achievements, which reveals a selfless love that prioritizes the child's potential and happiness over personal equality.
Themes
FamilySiblingParentingLoveFairnessSuccess
In practice
Example use cases
In a family gathering speech to celebrate a child's graduation.
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