Explain how “birthplace” is influenced by cultural experience

What is the meaning of the word checking as it is used in this sentence from the second paragraph of the passage?

“heartwork each day is born with a sunrise and ends in a sunset, the same way we open our eyes to see the light, and close them to hear the dark. you have no control over how your story begins or ends. but by now, you should know that all things have an ending. every spark returns to darkness. every sound returns to silence. and every flower returns to sleep with the earth. the journey of the sun and moon is predictable. but yours, is your ultimate art.” ― suzy kassem what does this quote mean to you? and why? i'm not looking for anything in particular, i just wanted to know. : )

In which two sentences does the author use an ironic tone toward the subject