Life and death
February 26, 2010 by mike

As I have noted before, I read a number of photographer blogs, including a handful of aggregator sites — those in which the blogger shares photography of others. One such place on the web is created by Chris St. James, an individual who has battled the disease of multiple sclerosis. His blog is the well-respected Universe d’Artiste.

Chris has posted his farewell blog entry, announcing his imminent death to the disease.  As you can see from the comments posted to his blog, the announcement is met with varying responses, but all with great conviction, attempts at understanding, and efforts to signify the importance Chris and life itself has to us all who remain.

Some may find this gentleman’s postings uncomfortable.  However, I believe his words and his granting others the opportunity to express their feelings about him while he is still alive, make this the best use of the internet I have seen in a long, long time.

This week was the third anniversary of the loss of a good friend and father to the person I love.  In recent times I have lost too many people who are important to me. So, the rest of you — you know who you are — take care of yourself, or I’ll get really mad.

In the meantime, the death of those who are important to us — including those we don’t even know, but who contribute valuable things to our own lives, such as Chris — are reminders that life is far too short and we better not wait around to tell the people we care about how important they are to us. Otherwise, it may become too late.

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  1. March 2, 2010 by Gerald

    Life isn’t too short, it’s just the right length. Pride, fear and lack of gratitude for what we have each day seems to be more of the problem, at least to me.

    My view of loss was formed a lot earlier then most. So every once in a while, a couple three times a year, I find a comforting place, like the Murrah Bombing Memorial , and reflect. I reflect on what my live would be like if suddenly I lost the different important people in my life. Because that happened to me, one hour normal life, then BANG, my life was forever changed. Once I run through the people that influence my life, I do some breathing excises, you know, like prayers :) .

    Then I try harder, at least for a while, to treat those people better. Showing them how important they are to me.

    But it almost looks like I need my own blog…….Love the blog Mike.

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