In the passage from Alice Munro's "Too Much Happiness," the author explores the nature of memory and how the past can sometimes feel distant and insignificant. There are moments when our memories fade, losing their power over us as we move forward in life. This process can seem almost automatic, allowing us to focus on the present without the weight of past experiences.

However, this ease is often disrupted when old memories resurface, demanding our attention. Munro suggests that despite the passage of time, unresolved feelings or lingering thoughts can re-emerge, urging us to confront them. Yet, she poignantly reminds us that some aspects of the past remain beyond our ability to change, leaving us to grapple with their presence without any real means of resolution.