Lots of folks live their whole lives without having much knowledge of the upbringing and formative moments in the lives of their family members. Das Bild wurde mit freundlicher Genehmigung von Westend61/Getty Images zur Verfügung gestellt. Is it conceivable to spend a great deal of time with one’s parents and grandparents and yet not understand them? I, as an anthropologist, have been perplexed by this inquiry. This time of year is especially important since so many individuals are travelling to spend time with their family. Whenever my parents were alive, I would journey great distances just so I could be with them. We talked about the regular things: what our kids were up to, how work was going, and any bodily pains we were feeling. I only started to think about how much I truly understood my parents after their passing. I questioned if I ever truly connected with them on a complex and comprehensive level. I comprehended that I had never questioned them regarding the fundamental times of their lives, when they were developing or adolescents. What did I neglect to inquire?
