This quote masterfully captures the essence of human experience and storytelling. Unlike the still, pristine images that snapshots freeze in time—sharp, defined, and often idealized—life itself is inherently chaotic and unpredictable. Crumley's depiction of life as beginning and ending 'in a bloody muddle' underscores the tumultuous, often messy nature of reality. It reminds us that our stories are never perfect renderings; they are fragmented, filled with contradictions, pain, and disorder. The metaphor of a 'can of worms left to rot in the sun' emphasizes how life, much like these worms, is complex, uncomfortable, and sometimes best left unexamined or unresolved. Perhaps, it's a commentary on the human tendency to seek order and clarity through stories, even when reality defies such neatness. The contrast between the neat snapshots and the messy truth of life invites reflection on how we interpret and craft our narratives—choosing which parts to remember, which parts to forget. Crumley's perspective encourages embracing the messiness, acknowledging that life's richness often lies in its imperfections and chaos. By metaphorically acknowledging that every life begins and ends in a struggle, there's an implication that grappling with that reality is part of what makes us human. The quote resonates deeply, reminding us that stories are mere approximations of reality—imperfect, incomplete, and often brutally honest representations of our human journey.