“Some might say if the elephants did not distinguish between the skulls, the fact that one of those skulls was their own mother wasn’t important. But maybe it means that all mothers are.”

The experience of motherhood is a major theme in Leaving Time. Alice’s observation of elephant mothers draws a close parallel to her own experience as a parent.

“A female elephant whose baby wasn’t a baby anymore by any means still returned with a fury when [the baby] was in distress. Once a mother, always a mother.” 

Alice’s comment about the permanent nature of motherhood applies equally well to her own case. She’s still haunted by the loss of her daughter a decade after the event.

“But doubt has a way of blooming like fireweed. Once it takes hold, it’s nearly impossible to eradicate.” 

Serenity’s comment about doubt can describe the behavior of several characters in the book. She finds it nearly impossible to root out her own doubts about her psychic gift, Virgil’s doubt about his competence as a police officer, and Jenna’s doubt about whether her mother loved her.