Loss

People are lost all of the time, and the ones they loved are left to grieve, but the feelings never leave. The relationship still changes and grows even if they are not both here. "The Worn Path" shows us this through Phoenix and her grandson. The readers do not know for sure if he is gone, but it is unlikely he is still with her. She goes to retrieve medicine every week but it has been three years since he swallowed lye, and he is not getting well according to Phoenix. She walks to town every week to remember and show that she still loves him. Another hint that he is gone is that she dances with a scarecrow and longs to have someone. She seems lonely but claims to have her grandson living with her. She continues to love like all of us even if they are not here.