The quote reflects the profound sense of loss and the permanence of memories when someone significant leaves our lives. The author suggests that once a person is gone, they exist only in our recollections. This highlights the stark contrast between presence and absence, indicating that the emotional impact of losing someone is irreversible.

The phrase "probably is a word that you may find south of the border" implies a cultural nuance in understanding certainty. It emphasizes a geographical metaphor where "never" represents a definitive end, contrasting with the ambiguity of "probably." Murakami's use of these terms illustrates the complexity of human relationships and the painful realization that some connections, once severed, can only be revisited through memories.