This quote from Cold Sassy Tree encapsulates a powerful moment of grief, complexity, and deep emotional layers within a relationship. It suggests a departure—not just physically as "she left him," but a release of lingering pain and unresolved feelings. The imagery of angels coming back for her, as she had requested, introduces a haunting yet serene element of acceptance and spiritual transcendence, blending earthly sorrow with the notion of eternal peace or rest. There is a palpable sense of sorrow etched in the mention of 'the heartbreak on Grandpa's face.' This line reveals how profound loss transcends any resentment or relief one might feel after difficult relationships; heartfelt grief only surfaces in moments of genuine connection and love despite past conflicts.

Through this lens, the quote examines the nuances of human emotion in the face of death and detachment. It challenges the simplistic assumption that someone might be 'glad to get rid of' another, emphasizing instead the authentic bittersweet nature of losing a loved one with whom life was complicated. It speaks to a universal truth—that grief involves a tangled web of regret, sorrow, and reminiscence that often defies easy judgment or understanding. Olive Ann Burns masterfully captures the essence of relational complexity, mourning not just a person but a shared history, flawed yet inseparable.

Ultimately, this passage invites reflection on how love and loss coexist, and how memories and emotions linger long after a departure, shaping the survivor's internal world profoundly and irrevocably.