Saturday, January 07, 2006
Saturday Jan. 7, 2006 - Year 3, Day 292 - best before
my collection grows . . dinner with muser LW provided 3 things I really like; stimulating conversation, strong opposing views & paella
DA, sorry to read that your mother passed away; the obituary speaks of an incredibly strong & prolific spirit – perhaps that explains you ? my thoughts are with you & SA
death, loss, the end of life on earth makes me wonder if, not unlike the forest floor, the deadfall seeds, fertilizes & gives nourishment to new growth, protects new growth
this morning I read that Lou Rawls died, Ariel Sharon barely clings to life & 12 miners perished - it seems our society [or the media at least] places so much emphasis on death & remembrance . . not enough on birth
it makes me wonder
if the headlines read ‘brilliant corporate icon born, 7 lbs, 8 oz.’ or ‘future leader of France born at 3 AM this morning’ ….or ‘scientist destined to make Einstein obsolete delivered by caesarian section’ . .
it makes me wonder what we would do ?
just as we mourn those who have lived great long lives or done great work or been taken from us before they had an opportunity to make their best contributions, we focus so much attention on that end of the spectrum
when I talk to friends who are new or expectant grandparents, I think they find balance – they find the joy in new life, new potential, new opportunities are what it is all about - knowing that just as their own life approaches later chapters, new issues are going to capture the imagination of a whole new generation
we are here to pass on what we can pass on & then we pass through
life is planned obsolescence, we just don’t know our ‘best before date’
Mine: best before August 7, 2046
Mark