The big occurrences in life, the serious ones, have for me always been nearly impossible to recognize because they never feel big or serious. In the moment, you have to pee, your arm itches, or what people are saying strikes you as melodramatic or sentimental, and it's hard not to smirk. You have a sense of what this type of situation should be like - for one thing, all-consuming - and this isn't it. But then you look back, and it was that; it did happen.
The author reflects on how significant life events can often go unnoticed at the time they happen. Instead of feeling momentous, these moments are overshadowed by mundane distractions like a need to use the restroom or physical discomfort. This leads to a disconnect between the expected gravity of the situation and the reality of one's experience, which can feel trivial or even humorous.
In hindsight, however, these moments take on a different meaning. What seemed inconsequential or melodramatic at the time might actually be pivotal events that shape one’s life. The contrast between the present experience and the retrospective understanding emphasizes the complexities of recognizing the true weight of our experiences as they unfold.
