Blank Pages in the Family Book

## Blank Pages in the Family Book When I asked my Korean grandmother about our family history, I quickly learned that listening to her silences was as important as hearing her words. Some stories remain untold, leaving blank spaces in the family narrative. ### The Unspoken Past My grandmother's hesitations and pauses revealed more than her spoken memories. These silences reflected the difficult times she endured, which she chose not to recount. Understanding these gaps requires patience and sensitivity. > "The silences in our conversations are as full of meaning as the stories she shares," I realized. ### The Weight of History The blank pages in the family book symbolize histories lost or deliberately left out, often because they are painful or fraught with shame. These gaps are common in many families, especially those affected by war, migration, or trauma. ### The Importance of Listening Deeply To truly connect with family history, one must pay attention not only to told memories but also to what is left unsaid. This deeper listening honors the complexities of personal and collective pasts. *** Listening closely to the silences in family stories can reveal hidden histories and deepen understanding beyond spoken words.