In Orson Scott Card's "Xenocide," the author touches on the nature of grief, emphasizing that it often stems more from the feelings and experiences of those who remain rather than the one who has passed. This perspective shifts the focus of mourning from the deceased to the emotional state of the living, highlighting their sense of loss and sorrow.

This quote serves as a poignant reminder that grief is a deeply personal experience, shaped by the connections and memories shared with the departed. It points out that the mourner's pain reflects their own yearnings and unfulfilled hopes, rather than solely the absence of the deceased.