Sunday, February 8, 2009

Day 39 - Life is fragile

This is an oil painting by my sister, one of the many things I treasure in my home. It's hard to believe that in a day so many people have lost their homes in the fires in Melbourne that have left so many homeless, injured or even dead. Life is sometimes fragile and unpredictable. I just returned from a beautiful wedding and reception - everyone happy, relaxed, rejoicing. Although I enjoyed myself, I couldn't stop thinking about the devastation of the people who had been affected by the fires. Some escaped, grateful to be alive, but having lost everything. That's hard to imagine. Your home is not just a place, it's your identity, your years of work trying to get it right, your memories. This painting would be only one of the things I would hate to lose. My heart goes out to the victims of the fires.

6 comments:

  1. As does mine. I, too, had a happy family event today, but my mind wandered to the bushfire victims again and again. Tragedies have a way of helping us gain perspective,don't they?

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  2. This project has brought me closer to Australia - as I follow the year through the eyes of several Australians. My reading or seeing the news here in Canada takes on a new perspective when you "know" people in or near the area of devastation. My heart goes out to all. I wish you cooler days, steady rain and no lighting so that all you hold dear can once more be safe.

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  3. Hello Tania, I share your thoughts entirely. What a wonderful wish from susanvg - I hope her wish for us is granted.

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  4. Thankyou for your empathy, Susan. As Pam says, what a wonderful wish. I was just thinking how a seemingly trivial challenge - posting a photo a day - can take on meaning on a different level than what I expected. It's true that following people this way does reveal more reality about those far away and create an understanding we would otherwise not have had. Thanks for commenting, Susan and Pam. Pam, your post was very interesting - I left a comment.

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  5. The connections do make our world seem smaller and much more 'real'. My thoughts and prayers are with those who lost lives and/or property, as well. Life is indeed fragile and somewhat fleeting, too.

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  6. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. I'm finding this photo project is taking me by surprise. Thanks for dropping by.

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