The meaning of ... life...

Maybe I should state right away that no, I'm not depressed. Many things happening.. and time for me to ponder.

Last week, I didn't blog much. I was pensive... On October 24th, a bunch of milestones occurred. At my blog at FC, I've blogged about a cross-border love... a year of visiting each other.

October 24th marked the 10th year of this strange relationship. The sticking point: Since no one wanted to relocate... we couldn't live forever part time... and in two countries, to boot...

A flurry of feelings, good and bad, many pictures in mind... and the sinking feeling that if back then I were where I am now... things would be differently... you know what I mean.

Sigh... Living as couple... So that's one way to answer this question, the meaning of life. We're programmed to live that way...

In this blog, I'll focus on another milestone. On October 24th of last year, an online friend has put her life on the line. Almost literally. For a good cause, admirable in every way... Bloggers who were at FC last year will probably remember. Even the e-mail she sent, telling why she's ready to die for a very good cause went on several blogs, and got forwarded to me.

And during the week it lasts... for reasons I don't want to mention, the true consequence onto her life would be known only weeks if not months later. I was extremely worried for her. She was in my prayers every morning for months.

I'd feel the same if she was my sister.

That's very powerful feelings...

Caring for someone, who at that time I knew only as an online friend...

I'm also thinking of several family members I've lost...

I'm also thinking of several friends which I've lost due to illness...

Same thing.

Last year, when I got the SOS from my mom about dad's illness, I jumped right in... today, there are times I feel squarely overwhelmed, literally crushed...

To see my dad slowly fading away, and it is the kind of illness there's just one way out... the emotional toll is there.

Even if I were given the opportunity to go back in time, I wouldn't do things differently.

Then, one wonders why I have some white hair growing. Heh, I've no idea. :)

Now, an uncle is seriously ill, and if it's up to me, I'd be in France right now. Work obligations are keeping me grounded at least for a couple of days (and add on that a labor strike at Air France that are thoroughly messing up all flights between Canada and France, not only on Air France, but on other airlines, such as Air Canada. And no, I don't plan to swim the Atlantic anytime soon. ).

Common denominator? Life.

When life is at stake, to people who are in your circle... there are things which come straight from you. Gut move. Boom, you go. Without thinking. Even if the battle is hopeless, even if you can't do much... even, even, even...

... even anything you want, you side with that person.

And it goes without saying that you pray, you invoke every saint, every god, for the well being of that person.

Humans are capable of many things, many of which are the ugliest...

But humans are also capable of the most noble thing on earth.

Care.

... And the extent to which one cares for another human... is fascinating.

Those have been my thoughts for the past few days, inspired by an October 24th milestone... and recent family events...

Cheers,

-E