Noticing and remembering everything would trap bright scenes to light and fill the blank and darkening past which was already piling up behind me. The growing size of that blank and ever-darkening past frightened me; it loomed beside me like a hole in the air and battened on scraps of my life I failed to claim. If one day I forgot to notice my life, and be damned grateful for it, the blank cave would suck me up entire.
In her work "An American Childhood," Annie Dillard expresses a profound concern about the importance of being aware and appreciative of one's life experiences. She illustrates this by suggesting that if one were to overlook moments of joy and beauty, the past – filled with darkness and emptiness – could overwhelm them. The act of remembering becomes a shield against this encroaching void, highlighting the significance of mindfulness in avoiding the pitfalls of unacknowledged life.
Dillard emphasizes that the accumulation of unrecognized moments can create a sense of fear, as if a gaping hole threatens to consume her. This metaphor of the “blank cave” serves to remind readers of the potential dangers of neglecting gratitude and awareness. By remaining conscious and grateful for the present, one can prevent the past from dominating their existence and instead cultivate a richer, more fulfilling life experience.
