The quote reflects a deep emotional experience of returning to one's roots, evoking feelings of nostalgia and a primal connection to the past. It suggests that such a return can stir up a sense of longing, as well as an awareness of how one may no longer fit into that original environment. This duality highlights a bittersweet recognition that while one can feel drawn to their origins, they may simultaneously experience a sense of displacement.
In "The Invention of Wings," the author, Sue Monk Kidd, captures the tension between belonging and alienation. The protagonist grapples with the complexities of identity and homecoming. The ache mentioned indicates that returning to familiar settings can reveal both a yearning for connection and the realization of personal evolution that distances one from their past. This interplay of emotions emphasizes the struggle many face when reconciling their origins with their current self.