I've never been afraid of ghosts. I live with them daily, after all. When I look in a mirror, my mother's eyes look back at me; my mouth curls with the smile that lured my great-grandfather to the fate that was me. No, how should I fear the touch of those vanished hands, laid on me in love unknowing? How could I be afraid of those that molded my flesh, leaving their remnants to live long past the grave?
The narrator expresses a profound connection to their ancestors, suggesting a deep intertwining of past and present. They reveal that their daily existence is filled with the presence of ghosts, not in the supernatural sense, but through the lasting influence of family members. The image of looking into a mirror and seeing their mother's eyes signifies that the past shapes their identity and saddles them with familial legacies.
This reflection leads to a sense of comfort rather than fear, as the narrator acknowledges the love and histories of those who came before. They embrace the emotional bonds formed through generations, understanding that these connections transcend death. The quote emphasizes a deep appreciation for one's lineage and a recognition that those who have passed away still leave an indelible mark on the living.
