I read the first chapter of A Brief History of Time when Dad was still alive, and I got incredibly heavy boots about how relatively insignificant life is, and how, compared to the universe and compared to time, it didn't even matter if I existed at all. When Dad was tucking me in that night and we were talking about the book, I asked if he could think of a solution to that problem. Which problem? The problem of how relatively insignificant we are.
The narrator reflects on reading "A Brief History of Time" and grapples with feelings of insignificance in the grand scheme of the universe. This realization brings a heavy weight to their thoughts, especially in the context of their father's presence and the discussions they share. The sense of smallness compared to the vastness of time and space prompts a deep existential contemplation about the value and meaning of existence.
During a poignant moment while being tucked in by their father, the narrator expresses a desire to find a solution to the problem of feeling insignificant. This inquiry highlights not only the child's struggle with existential thoughts but also the bond between parent and child, as it reveals a searching for comfort and reassurance in the face of life's vast uncertainties.
