Life is a gift, given in trust - like a child.

The line frames life not as property to be owned or controlled, but as something entrusted to us—temporary, fragile, and morally weighty. By comparing life to “a child,” Lindbergh evokes the duties of guardianship: attentiveness, humility, and care rather than domination. The metaphor suggests that meaning comes less from extracting pleasure or achievement and more from responsible stewardship—protecting what is vulnerable, helping it grow, and recognizing its independence. It also implies limits: as with a child, one cannot fully predict outcomes or guarantee safety, only offer faithful care. The quote resonates with Lindbergh’s recurring themes of simplicity, reverence, and the ethical use of freedom.