"We die containing a richness of lovers and tribes, tastes we have swallowed, bodies we have plunged into and swum up as if rivers of wisdom, characters we have climbed into as if trees, fears we have hidden in as if caves.
I wish for all this to be marked on my body when I am dead. I believe in such cartography—to be marked by nature, not just to label ourselves on a map like the names of rich men and women on buildings. We are communal histories, communal books. We are not owned or monogamous in our taste or experience".
Michael Ondaatje
I wondered what sort of quote about life I would choose today - one that reflects how I am feeling or one that reflects more positive thoughts. In the end I chose one somewhere in the middle, that also resonates with my life.
A friend of ours died this week, the partner of one of my dear friends and we are grieving. But we are also celebrating a life of graciousness and giving, and love that poured out to my friend and made his life full and beautiful.
I think it is almost impossible to encapsulate a life in words when one dies; and so I like this notion of being marked; of stories being told; of somehow all our life experiences as we dined at the banquet table of life being understood.
People's lives are so amazing, so full of fabulousness, experiences, wisdom, jokes, cleverness, funniness, kindness and just moments. How can we ever capture that when someone dies? We are so communal; our experiences shared with others; our best moments oftentimes those we spent with other people - with raucous laughter or in silent companionship.
Here's to life, the journeys we take and the people we love along the way...
The journey begins and ends with home... a piece of mine that my friends bought in 2011.
I wish for all this to be marked on my body when I am dead. I believe in such cartography—to be marked by nature, not just to label ourselves on a map like the names of rich men and women on buildings. We are communal histories, communal books. We are not owned or monogamous in our taste or experience".
Michael Ondaatje
I wondered what sort of quote about life I would choose today - one that reflects how I am feeling or one that reflects more positive thoughts. In the end I chose one somewhere in the middle, that also resonates with my life.
A friend of ours died this week, the partner of one of my dear friends and we are grieving. But we are also celebrating a life of graciousness and giving, and love that poured out to my friend and made his life full and beautiful.
I think it is almost impossible to encapsulate a life in words when one dies; and so I like this notion of being marked; of stories being told; of somehow all our life experiences as we dined at the banquet table of life being understood.
People's lives are so amazing, so full of fabulousness, experiences, wisdom, jokes, cleverness, funniness, kindness and just moments. How can we ever capture that when someone dies? We are so communal; our experiences shared with others; our best moments oftentimes those we spent with other people - with raucous laughter or in silent companionship.
Here's to life, the journeys we take and the people we love along the way...
The journey begins and ends with home... a piece of mine that my friends bought in 2011.
I find I have nothing to say that can add anything - just what beautiful thoughts and how true ...
ReplyDeleteYour blog always has something special to offer ...
Thank you Charlton - that is special, and kind.
Deletehugs for you fiona xxxx
ReplyDeleteThanks Ronnie...
DeleteSo true Fiona. I've pondered over this post for a while. Wish I could see your artists book face to face.
ReplyDeleteThanks Robyn - I often feel inadequate around death; describing what the person meant to me; the nuances of their personality and the like. A personal cartography - we could all work on it as we live...
DeleteI think most of us feel inadequate around death. Even though we've all experienced loss it's so difficult to say what we want to say to someone who has just lost a loved one.
DeleteWise and true words Robyn...
DeleteWhat a beautiful quote and thoughtful post. A dear friend died recently after a 6 year decline following the discovery of a brain tumour, this week at her funeral we will celebrate her wonderful life, full of music,humour, fun, laughter, tears and love.
ReplyDeleteThank you Anna - death brings so many disparate bits - loss and grief; laughing and smiling and remembering...go well.
DeleteSo sorry about your friend Fiona, my thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Liz...
Deletebeautiful post, the book, your friends... I heard this on a bus between two old guys on a bus reminiscing about a departed one, "He sucked the lemon of life dry"
ReplyDeleteOld Man Crow just woke up and reckons I go that epitaph twisted round a bit it was "He squeezed the orange of life dry" a more light hearted thought!
DeleteI like them both Mo Crow - they give a sense of every drop being wrung from it!
DeleteBeautiful words - tender, sad, thought-FULL
ReplyDeleteThanks Rosie
Delete