Central to the book is the influence of parental relationships on one’s understanding of love and identity. The narrative unpacks how experiences with earthly parents can either illuminate or distort perceptions of God. Cultural expectations around motherhood, religious commitment, and respect are interwoven throughout, revealing how societal norms can simultaneously comfort and complicate the grieving process.
The author's switch between the past and present allows us to see how both are intertwined and how despite our best efforts, separating them, most times, is never successful. This literary technique also gives us context and necessary background to current happenings.