After my mom died she ate my father up completely. She would have hated it. Every minute of his life since then has been marked by her absence, every action has lacked dimension because she is not there to measure against. And when I was young I didn't understand, but now, I know, how absence can be present, like a damaged nerve, like a dark bird. If I had to live on without you, I know I could not do it. But I hope, I have this vision of you walking unencumbered, with your shining hair in the sun. I have not seen this with my eyes, but only with my imagination, that makes pictures, that always wanted to paint you, shining; but I hope that this vision will be true, anyway.

— Audrey Niffenegger

...all of our laments could not add a single second to her life, not one additional beat of the heart, nor a breath.

— Audrey Niffenegger

...and I suddenly feel that Henry is there, incredible need for Henry to be there and to put his hand on me even while it seems to me that Henry is the rain, and I am alone and wanting him-Clare

— Audrey Niffenegger

But I don't want to just believe it, I want it to be true.

— Audrey Niffenegger

But now, I know, how absence can be present, like a damaged nerve, like a dark bird.

— Audrey Niffenegger

Chaos is more freedom; in fact, total freedom. But no meaning.

— Audrey Niffenegger

Chaos is more freedom; in fact, total freedom. But no meaning. I want to be free to act, and I also want my actions to mean something.

— Audrey Niffenegger

Chicago has so much excellent architecture that they feel obliged to tear some of it down now and then and erect terrible buildings just to help us all appreciate the good stuff.

— Audrey Niffenegger

Clare, I want to tell you, again, I love you. Our love has been the thread through the labyrinth, the net under the high-wire walker, the only real thing in this strange life of mine that I could ever trust. Tonight I feel that my love for you has more density in this world than I do, myself: as though it could linger on after me and surround you, keep you, hold you.

— Audrey Niffenegger

Don't you think it's better to be extremely happy for a short while, even if you lose it, than to be just okay for your whole life?

— Audrey Niffenegger