Army Quote by Jesse Cozean
““We had our family patterns and were quite comfortable in them, which made it even more shocking when, just after his eightieth birthday, Papa began bringing up his time as a prisoner of war in Germany. Of course, I had always known that he had served in World War II and been captured, just like I had always know the stories about my grandmother and the build of their house. It's that peculiar type of family memory, where someone has obviously told you but you were too young to remember actually hearing it, so it seems like knowledge that was instilled at birth. Papa never brought it up, and my parents said they hadn't heard him mention it once in the previous fifty years. But suddenly, he was talking.””
About This Quote
Family stories can surface unexpectedly, revealing hidden histories that feel innate despite never being heard.
In simple terms: Family memories can emerge suddenly, feeling innate.
Key Takeaway
Listen for and honor unexpected family histories.
Themes
memory
family dynamics
history
identity
Mood
thoughtful
nostalgic
Type
reflective
inspirational
When to use this quote
- family gatherings
- therapy sessions
- genealogy research
- storytelling workshops
Key Concepts
intergenerational trauma
narrative identity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you process sudden family revelations?
- What role does memory play in identity?
A Different Perspective
Such revelations may cause emotional upheaval.
![“My love of storytelling comes from oral tradition, the stories from my grandmother and conversations with [my] mother. The world is full of discussions of condensation, drifts, misunderstanding, repetition. These are the materials I work with. My debt is to these women.” quote by Lucrecia Martel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/771/lucrecia-martel-47278_communication_my-love-of-storytelling-comes-from-oral_2757192.jpg)
![“I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect [Donald Trump], or then-president [Barack Obama]. But it's - I'm very clear. I voted for the change that put the Army Field Manual in place as a member of Congress. I understand that law very, very quickly and am also deeply aware…” quote by James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/761/james-mattis-9515_army_i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-th_3990.jpg)
