And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer

by Fredrik Backman

Noah can see that Grandpa is ashamed the minute he says it’s hard to explain, because Grandpa

Noah can see

Noah can see

“But what about school, Ted? Tell me how it’s going at school!” A boy

But what about school

“Our teacher made us write a story about what we want to be when we’re big,” Noah tells him. “What did you write?”

What the teacher told the students to write

wrote that I wanted to concentrate on being little first.” “That’s a very good answer.” “Isn’t it? I would rather be old than a grown-up. All grown-ups are angry, it’s just children and old people who laugh.” “Did you write that?” “Yes.” “What did your teacher say?” “She said I hadn’t understood the task.” “And what did you say?” “I said she hadn’t understood my answer.” “I love you,” Grandpa manages to say with closed eyes.

I want tobe little first

“I’m bad at good-byes,” says the boy.

I'm bad at goodbyes

Almost all grown adults walk around full of regret over a good-bye they wish they’d been able to go back and say better.

Almost all adults ... regret

“My memories are running away from me, my love, like when you try to separate oil and water. I’m constantly reading a book with a

My memories are running away from me

“My brain is shrinking now, the square gets smaller every night.” She strokes

My brain is shrinking now

“I know that the way home is getting longer and longer every morning.

I know that the way home is getting longer

“Darling stubborn you. I know you never believed in life after death. But you should know that I’m dearly, dearly, dearly hoping that you’re wrong.” The road

I nver believed in life after death but I hope you are wrong

“Yes, sometimes it feels like having fallen asleep on a sofa while it’s still light and then suddenly being woken up once it’s dark; it takes me a few seconds to remember where I am. I’m in space for a few moments, have to blink and rub my eyes and let my brain take a couple of extra steps to remember who I am and where I am. To get home. That’s the road that’s getting longer and longer every morning, the way home from space. I’m sailing on a big calm lake, Noahnoah.”

This book is a beautiful and sad metaphor for grow old And realizing you can't do anything about it

“Grandma believed in God, but you don’t. Do you still get to go to Heaven if you die?” “Only if I’m wrong.”

Grndma believed in God. Build You don't. Do you still get to go to heaven? Only if I'm wrong

Then the rain starts to fall, and the last thing he shouts to her is that he also hopes he’s wrong. Dearly, dearly, dearly hopes. That she’ll argue with him in Heaven.

The way grandpa hopes wrong about not believing in heaven.is so hes can be with his.wife again That's how I feel--I'd so very much like to be with Carol again !!

His brain . . . the thing is, Noah, sometimes it’s going to be working slower than we’re used to. Slower than Grandpa is used to.” “Yeah. The way home’s getting longer and longer every morning now.” The father squats down and hugs him. “My wonderful smart little boy. The amount I love you, Noah, the sky will never be that big.” “What can we do to help Grandpa?”

The way home is getting longer and longer every morning now

“I don’t have time to teach you to ride your bike today, Ted! I

I don't have time to ( now). Reminds me of when Colin was young andI was too busy to play. Like the song Cat's in the Cradle --- we'll have a good time then