Remembering our past, carrying it around with us always, may be the necessary requirement for maintaining, as they say, the wholeness of the self. To ensure that the self doesn't shrink, to see that it holds on to its volume, memories have to be watered like potted flowers, and the watering calls for regular contact with the witnesses of the past, that is to say, with friends. They are our mirror; our memory; we ask nothing of them but that they polish the mirror from time to time so we can look at ourselves in it.
Milan Kundera emphasizes the importance of memories in maintaining our sense of self. He suggests that just as potted flowers need regular watering, our memories also require nurturing through contact with friends and those who share our past. This connection is vital to ensuring that our identity remains intact and doesn't diminish over time.
Friends serve as mirrors reflecting our experiences and memories, helping us understand ourselves better. By engaging with them, we revisit our past and keep our memories alive, which is essential for a complete and thriving self. Kundera's perspective highlights the deep relationship between memory, identity, and our social connections.
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