Astrid had three children and three grandchildren, and even if she hadn't, the loss of a child was the most acute tragedy, followed closely by a young parent, followed by cancer researchers, sitting presidents, movie stars, and everybody else.
-- Narration (chapter 1)

Importance: In the space of this quotation, Astrid is reflecting on the good fortune that there were no children on the bus that hit Barbara. While the mention of movie stars makes the sentence as a whole less serious, it shows Astrid's train of thought slipping away from her as she tries to consider whose lives are worth the most. Her idea that the loss of a child is worse than any other may be a sincere, if impulsive, one, but it forces her to think about who is expendable. In the sentences that follow, she finds herself thinking that it would be unfair to consider it a blessing that Barbara died...