I had always assumed we had an unspoken understanding about these things: that she didn't really mean I was a failure, and I really meant I would try to respect her opinions more. But listening to Auntie Lin tonight reminds me once agian: My mother and I never really understood one another. We translated each other's meanings and I seemed to hear less than what was said, while my mother heard more. No doubt she told Auntie Lin I was going back to school to get a doctorate.
The narrator reflects on a complex relationship with their mother, suggesting that there has always been a miscommunication between them. They believed they shared an understanding concerning their feelings and intentions, but upon listening to Auntie Lin, it becomes clear that the deeper connection they thought they had was more of a misconstruction. The narrator feels they interpret their mother’s words less accurately, while their mother appears to understand more than intended.
This realization highlights the struggle to truly connect and understand one another in familial relationships. The narrator acknowledges the possibility that their mother has communicated different expectations, such as the anticipation of pursuing further education, indicating a gap in their mutual understanding. Ultimately, the narrator sees this communication barrier as a recurring theme in their interactions, which limits their relationship's depth.
