I went to my grandmother... and asked her to write a letter. I hardly knew her. I didn't have any interest in knowing her. I have no need for the past, I thought, like a child. I did not consider that the past might have a need for me.What kind of letter? my grandmother asked.I told her to write whatever she wanted to write.You want a letter from me? she asked.I told her yes.Oh, God bless you, she said.
The narrator visits his grandmother, a figure he barely knows and has little interest in connecting with. Despite his indifference to the past, the encounter becomes significant as it highlights the disconnection between generations. The narrator's initial lack of curiosity about his family's history reflects a common childhood mindset, where the past feels irrelevant. Yet, this moment sparks a realization about the importance of personal history and relationships.
The grandmother, surprised by the request for a letter, is touched and responsive to her grandchild’s desire for connection. Her emotional reaction implies a deep, unacknowledged bond that transcends their unfamiliarity. This interaction serves as a reminder that while one may overlook the past, it has its layers of significance and a longing for recognition and understanding. The exchange hints at the complexities of familial ties and the need for communication across generations.
