In Jodi Picoult's novel "Sing You Home," one of the key themes revolves around the concept of understanding loss. The quote, "You have to understand what you're missing before you can really feel a loss," suggests that true grief comes from recognizing what was truly valued or cherished before its absence. It highlights the importance of awareness and appreciation in our lives.

This sentiment underlines the emotional depth of the characters as they navigate their journeys. It implies that a lack of awareness can lead to superficial insights about loss, whereas a profound understanding of what we lose enriches our emotional experience and highlights the significance of those relationships or experiences in our lives.