In the book "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" by Jonathan Safran Foer, the narrative explores themes of loss and the passage of time. The quote suggests that true experiences and relationships cannot be quantified in conventional measures like years or distances. It emphasizes the profound and often inscrutable nature of grief, making it clear that some connections and impacts transcend numerical understanding.

The author uses metaphors to illustrate this point, comparing the depth of human emotions to the vastness of the ocean and the challenges of counting the dead. Ultimately, Foer's work invites readers to reflect on the ineffable qualities of life, love, and loss that resist simple measurement and understanding.