Eva states, “One’s reward for marching through the decades is a gradual process of erasure.” What do you think of this statement? Do you agree?

Eva states, “One’s reward for marching through the decades is a gradual process of erasure.” What do you think of this statement? Do you agree?

I think there is truth to that statement. Time has a way of erasing memories and providing a new reality. Eva tried to live in the present and create a new reality. She hadn't forgotten but, for the most part, could hold the memories at bay. It was seeing the Book of Lost Names in the paper that brought her facade crashing down.

Time has a way of allowing us to grapple with pain, develop coping mechanisms, and learn, once again, that life is worth living. We are able to march through the decades having learned from the past, managing the guilt of survivor-hood, and appreciate the person we have grown into. Yet, while memories dim, they never go away and we need to develop ways to accept their residence in us while not allowing them to haunt and take over of our life. We do indeed march on with resilience, perspective and self-awareness.

I think this is true as the further people get away from an event, the less they like to talk about it especially if it was something as horrible as this event was. While not the same I know that when Vietnam vets came home they didn't want to talk about it and I equate this as similar. Humans don't like to relive the horrible things that they have experienced and I don't blame them.