It would undo me, I think, to glimpse some familiar piece of clothing, or a certain book or photograph, or to catch a hint of your smell. And I don't want to be undone like that, oh my God, not with your widow standing by.
In Sigrid Nunez's novel "The Friend," the protagonist reflects on the profound emotional impact of memories associated with a lost loved one. She expresses a fear that encountering remnants of this person's life, such as clothing or personal belongings, would overwhelm her and unravel her composure. These seemingly mundane objects can evoke deep feelings of grief and longing, fundamentally altering her state of mind.
The mention of not wanting to be...