The quote reflects a sense of philosophical acceptance and gratitude, illustrating a journey from having nothing to experiencing a rich and fulfilling life. The speaker acknowledges that losing everything again is not a setback but rather a return to a starting point. Instead of focusing on material loss, there is a celebration of the wonderful moments and experiences encountered along the way.

This perspective highlights a deeper understanding of life's values, where experiences and memories hold greater significance than possessions. In Erik Larson's "The Devil in the White City," themes of ambition, loss, and the transformative power of experiences are woven throughout the narrative, emphasizing that the true wealth of life lies in the richness of one's experiences rather than material accumulation.