In the novel Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant , by Anne Tyler, one of the characters , Jenny, learns an important lesson from her mother. This is what I was asked to write about , but I cannot find what this lesson is.

Did you actually read it? Its in there if you do.

Smoothy is correct. The answer is there if you've read the book. Maybe this quote will help: "The most aching nostalgia is not for home but for home idealized."