Meaning of "Unraveling" by Liz Longley

The song "Unraveling" delves into the heartbreaking reality of watching a loved one succumb to memory loss and dementia. The speaker, who is the granddaughter of the grandmother in question, describes the pain of witnessing her grandmother lose touch with her past and identity. The grandmother's physical possessions, like porcelain dolls and portrait paintings, that she once cherished are now relegated to gathering dust in the attic, mirroring her fading memories and sense of self. The granddaughter grapples with the difficult task of trying to preserve her grandmother's essence and history, unable to bring her back to the vibrant woman she once was. The repetition of the line "She is unraveling" emphasizes the gradual unraveling of the grandmother's memories and identity, as well as the granddaughter's internal turmoil and helplessness in the face of her decline. The song beautifully captures the bittersweet and complex emotions that come with witnessing a loved one lose themselves to dementia, highlighting the importance of cherishing memories and the deep impact of familial connections.