In this autoethnographic essay, the author explores the possibility of healing, understanding, and moving toward a more comprehensive and honest assessment of self through an examination of “narrative inheritance” and “hindsight.” Motivated by an unexpected correspondence, the author asks questions intended to assist in this examination. In particular, the author confronts deep family issues and secrets that have shaped the stories he tells about himself and his family, stories initially dictated by his mother but through recollection and subsequent investigation, become called into question. The author concludes by attempting to reframe the narrative about himself and his family.
Brown-SmithN., (1998). Family secrets. Journal of Family Issues, 19, 20-42.
2.
DeGenovaM. K.RiceF. P. (2006). Why examine family background? In GalvinK. M.CooperP. J. (Eds.), Making connections: Readings in relational communication (pp. 104-107). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
3.
FreemanM., (2010). Hindsight: The promise and peril of looking back. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
4.
GoodallH. L.Jr. (2005). Narrative inheritance: A nuclear family with toxic secrets. Qualitative Inquiry, 11, 492-513.
5.
GuignonG. (2004). On being authentic. New York, NY: Routledge.
6.
hooksb. (1994). Teaching to transgress: Education as the practice of freedom. New York, NY: Routledge.
