--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Unfortunately it is not possible to…" description: "\"“Unfortunately it is not possible to destroy our history. It lives inside us, probably the more powerful for our attempts to bury it. We and our famili..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/221/monica-mcgoldrick-69024_family_unfortunately-it-is-not-possible-to-dest_807424.jpg" --- # Unfortunately it is not possible to destroy our history… ![“Unfortunately it is not possible to destroy our history. It lives inside us, probably the more powerful for our attempts to bury it. We and our families are likely to pay a high price in the present for trying to block out the past. Attempts to cover up family history tend to fester, influencing…” quote by Monica McGoldrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/221/monica-mcgoldrick-69024_family_unfortunately-it-is-not-possible-to-dest_807424.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/221/monica-mcgoldrick-69024_family_unfortunately-it-is-not-possible-to-dest_807424.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/221/monica-mcgoldrick-69024_family_unfortunately-it-is-not-possible-to-dest_807424.jpg) > ““Unfortunately it is not possible to destroy our history. It lives inside us, probably the more powerful for our attempts to bury it. We and our families are likely to pay a high price in the present for trying to block out the past. Attempts to cover up family history tend to fester, influencing others born long after the original painful experiences and relationships.”” Monica McGoldrick ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. History cannot be erased; suppressed memories linger and affect future generations. **In simple terms:** History lives inside us. Key Takeaway Acknowledge and heal past wounds. Themes psychology family therapy history Mood empathetic serious Type therapeutic reflective When to use this quote - therapy sessions - family storytelling - cultural education - personal growth Key Concepts Intergenerational trauma memory suppression healing processes Questions to Reflect On - What family histories have you uncovered? - How can you transform painful past into growth? A Different Perspective Confronting history can be painful and destabilizing. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Family history](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family-history/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) ## Related quotes > [“It's possible to name everything and to destroy the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-acker/it-s-possible-to-name-everything-and-to-destroy-the-world/) [Kathy Acker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-acker/) > [Things that change history tend to be organized.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brooks/things-that-change-history-tend-to-be-organized/) [David Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brooks/) > [There's nothing wrong with being organized.Things that change history tend to be organized.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/there-s-nothing-wrong-with-being-organized-things-that-change-history/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [Theories of history used to be supernatural: the divine ruled time; the hand of God, a special providence, lay behind the fall of each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-lepore/theories-of-history-used-to-be-supernatural-the-divine-ruled-time-the/) [Jill Lepore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-lepore/) > [Why don't they go ahead and change the name of the White House to the West House. 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