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With [her] in his life [he] was beginning to realize how deeply unhappy he had been all these years. It took such small things, just her smile, her hand resting on his, and he would get this glow inside and he'd find himself wearing this goofy grin and nodding at everything she said and he'd realize: this is pretty good! This is what other people have known about all these years and tried to tell me!

Orson Scott Card#938

LoveRelationshipHappinessRealizationContrast

About this quote

What does it mean?
Small gestures from a partner reveal deep prior unhappiness.
In plain terms
Her small actions made him happy and showed his past sadness.
What can you take from it?
Love highlights what was missing before.

Where it applies

  • falling in love
  • realization

Putting it to work

  • notice small gestures

Questions to consider

  • What small things make you feel loved?

Another view

It implies prior unhappiness was overlooked until now.

More from Orson Scott Card

  1. It was the first time he had actually enjoyed the company of a woman as a woman. It was possible. That's what this evening meant. There was hope for him to fin…

    Permalink to quote #937
  2. He wouldn't mind a bit if it kept going like this pretty much for the rest of his life

    Permalink to quote #939
  3. Of course she wasn't going to call, he knew that.

    Permalink to quote #936

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