Grandfathers Quote by David Mas Masumoto
““I know of no trunk full of old heirlooms, no felt hats or army uniforms. There are no tarnished medals or gold watches. I've stopped dreaming of discovering the old shoe box filled with the history of our family, the documents and letters that recorded our family's arrival and the historical milestones as my grandfathers left their mark on a place. There is no journal or diary. I do not know if they knew how to read or write. I could easily dismiss their existence. Their lives seem empty and still, void of emotion. I cannot tell if they wear scars. I only know of my grandfathers as broken old men.””
About This Quote
The narrator feels disconnected from ancestors, seeing them as empty and lacking records, leading to a sense of loss and alienation.
In simple terms: Grandparents seem distant and unknown.
Key Takeaway
Seek to learn family history.
Themes
family
memory
identity
loss
generational
family
historiography
heritage
Mood
narrative
personal
philosophical
Type
Grandfathers:1
Old men:0
Grandfathers Broken:0
Grandfathers Left:0
Know Grandfathers:0
Milestones Grandfathers:0
When to use this quote
- family storytelling
- heritage research
- oral history
- memorial projects
Key Concepts
personal reflection
genealogy
cultural memory
Questions to Reflect On
- melancholic
- reflective
- somber
A Different Perspective
How might preserving stories change our view of ancestors?;What barriers prevent us from learning family histories?
