As infants, our first victory comes in grasping some bit of the world, usually our mother's fingers. Later we discover that the world, and the things of the world, are grasping us, and have been all along.
The quote from Stephen King's "Just After Sunset" reflects on the journey of human awareness from infancy to adulthood. Initially, as babies, we experience our first sense of achievement through simple actions, like holding our mother's fingers. This moment symbolizes our early connection to the world around us, highlighting a sense of exploration and discovery.
However, as we grow, we come to realize that this connection is not one-sided. The world and its various elements start to influence and shape our lives, revealing that we are not just passive observers but active participants in a relationship with our environment. This suggests a deeper understanding of our entanglement with the world as we navigate life's complexities.