A good friend of mine contributed this image from a design he saw on a rock near Belle Isle. At first, it looked to me like a small design, maybe 7" across, but the other day when I was walking on the rocks on the south side of the island, I saw it and it's much bigger, more like three feet across. I think it's still there, so if you like it, go snap a pic.
What a beautiful, personal tribute, however hidden and temporary. Hand painted in six colors, it seems a memorial to "Rest In Peace" for someone named "BO", letters that could also be initials. The eyes of the flying skull look compassionate but the mouth grimly determined. It symbolizes the death of BO but also reminds us of our own death as it evokes the classic image of the flying hourglass, an ever-relevant reminder of the swift passing of time: tempus fugit - time flies.
The first time I saw the flying hourglass image was on a tombstone somewhere. When I started getting tattoos in my late 20's that was one of the first I wanted. It is a reminder that always inspires to to enjoy today, to revel in the the fellowship of family & friends and bask in the pleasures of the body rather than be distracted by temptations of greed and ego.
In Hollywood Cemetery, there's a great flying hourglass image in the pediment
over the door of the Lewis Ginter Mausoleum.
When we are young, often it seems to D R A G on and onnnn but as we get older, it seems to pass more swiftly. Time as a system of measurement may be fixed, but human experience of time varies widely. This concept is explored in the famous short story "Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" by Ambrose Bierce and the story was adapted to film by Robert Enrico and won and award at the 1962 Cannes Film Festival.
So, what's the point?
Getting focused on getting the most out of life & giving of ourselves while we still can.
Being human. Being loving. Being enthusiastic. Being. Being here, NOW.
It may seem like a grim reminder, but it might rescue us from wasting our lives by living someone else's script and then suddenly waking up at 40 with a mid-life crisis over a misdirected life that we try to solve with a sports car - by then it's too late.
At first, I saw "Live with No Regrets" which can be read as a statement of defiance, but then I noticed the heart suggesting to me that with love, pointless selfishness can be avoided while the body & spirit can be fully and delightfully engaged.
It can also be deeply wise advice - to live in a way that is honest and full and bold.
Live so we do not regret missing the many delightful experiences life offers us.
Live so we do not regret not having done something we wanted.
Live so we do not regret having treated others badly.
