Moving from metaphor to human reality, the quote aligns with a basic insight in developmental science: some capacities are especially sensitive to early experiences. Attachment research, for instance, emphasizes the importance of reliable caregiving in shaping a child’s sense of safety and trust; John Bowlby’s *Attachment and Loss* (1969) helped establish how early bonds influence later emotional patterns.
Importantly, this doesn’t mean change is impossible later. However, it does mean timing matters. When Mistral insists on “right now,” she is pointing to the practical truth that early support often prevents later crises—making “immediate care” not only compassionate but also profoundly efficient. [...]
