“Dying is pointless. You have to know how to disappear.” – Jean Baudrillard
Above in order of disappearance:
Jean Baudrillard 1929 – 2007, died March 6.
R. Hugh Dickinson 1918 – 2007, died March 17.
Kurt Vonnegut 1922 – 2007, died April 11.
The first man is Jean Baudrillard, the third, Kurt Vonnegut. If you know me, there is a good chance you know, or can guess who the man in the middle is. There is often much sorrow around death, and in this case, for me, there is some regret. I’d planned a trip that I didn’t take in time. But R. Hugh Dickinson lead a wonderful, full life. I am glad I was able to celebrate it with family in Seattle recently. I am proud to be his granddaughter.
Me with some of my Family in Seattle for Grandpa’s funeral.
“A purpose of human life, no matter who is controlling it, is to love whoever is around to be loved.” – Kurt Vonnegut, Sirens of Titan
There’s been a lot in the news about Baudrillard and Vonnegut, whose deaths occurred around the same time as my grandfather’s. The writing of the two more famous men has influenced me in some ways in my life, so news of their passing touched my awareness more than news of this kind normally does. The grim topic of death and dying has been on my mind a lot lately.
Forever a skeptic, I will of course refuse to acknowledge synchronicity in the timing of these events. I will insist that it is all random yet I will search for meaning in random things – like a friend lending me the DVD, A Good Year. I found myself relating to the main character who’s life is changed when his beloved but estranged uncle passes away and he revisits the chateau and vineyard in Provence where he spent much of his childhood. My friend suggested the flick for several reasons, including my grandfather. So much for random. 🙂
From A Good Year
My mind is filled with things my grandfather used to say. My eyes are a little wider and my heart more open. Every little thing makes me think of him. Grandpa Hugh may be gone, but he will never truly disappear.