Taken November 27, 2005 in Marina del Rey, CA.
"It has seemed to me for a long time that the influence of a loved one's death on those he has left behind ought to be none other than that of a higher responsibility. Does the one who is passing away not leave a hundredfold of everything he had begun to be continued by those who survive him - if they had shared any kind of inner bond at all? Over the past few years I have been forced to gain intimate knowledge of so many close experiences of death. But with each individual who was taken from me, the tasks around me have only increased. The heaviness of this unexplained and possibly mightiest occurrence, which has assumed the reputation of being arbitrary and cruel only due to a misunderstanding, presses us more deeply into life and demands the most extreme duties of our gradually increasing strengths." -Rainier Maria Rilke
Very nice. And lovely photo.
Posted by: teahouseblossom | December 18, 2005 at 04:55 PM
What an amazing quote. Something I never really thought before, but immediately recognized as truth.
Posted by: patry Francis | December 15, 2005 at 08:26 PM
you always find the most pure quotes....many blessings
Posted by: kelly | December 15, 2005 at 06:48 PM
i love the idea of the death of a loved on pressing us more deeply into life. that's good!
Posted by: la vie en rose | December 15, 2005 at 02:40 PM
Yes! This quote really resonates with me. I've lost people over the years but perhaps the most crushing was my dad's passing on Christmas Eve five years ago. This year is the first year that I didn't fall apart. I have more Christmas spirit and can honestly say that I'm happier. I think a lot about the things he didn't get to do and it makes me strive more for the things that I had once deemed either unattainable or impossible. My mother always says that life is not a dress rehearsal. I'm finally getting that I have to live my life in these terms. It's the show. Either you can roll with the punches and act along or you can get off the stage.
Posted by: Enid Yvette | December 15, 2005 at 01:12 PM
love the picture with the shadow of the photographer...and the quote is amazing. Thank you for sharing them both.
Posted by: liz elayne | December 15, 2005 at 08:08 AM
Beautiful quote.
Posted by: Marilyn | December 14, 2005 at 06:57 PM
wow!
Posted by: melissa | December 14, 2005 at 05:27 PM