"Il n'y a pas de désespoir aussi absolu que celui qui vient avec les premiers moments de notre premier grand chagrin."
— George Eliot
Simplified Meaning:
When we face a really big loss or pain for the very first time, it can feel completely overwhelming and like nothing will ever be okay again. Think of it like the shock and sadness a child feels when they lose their favorite pet; it's the first time they are dealing with such intense sadness, and it feels huge and unmanageable. As time goes on and we go through more tough experiences, we learn that while pain is hard, it eventually gets better and we can handle it. But that first big hurt always feels the strongest because we haven't yet learned how to cope with it. If someone is experiencing their first big sorrow, it's important for them to know that it's normal to feel that way and that, with time, things will start to feel better. By understanding this, people can be more gentle with themselves and give themselves time to heal.
