Being alive

We are so egotistical. Even those who have the cushioning of faith in some sort of eternal life beyond this earthly quagmire live each day in a mist of their own immortality. It has been a stark reminder to me this week of my own fragility when on Saturday I had a small TIA. Enough for me to lose my sight for fifteen minutes; enough for me to feel apart from the world. Enough for me to realise how much those people around me mean to me. Enough to make me question my stance in life. More than enough to make me want to go out today, on this exceptional November morning and photograph nature as it prepares for another winter cycle.

I have been lucky enough to have spent part of my childhood visiting Grandparents & relatives in the most beautiful part of Ireland, and witnessing a world that has now been lost to my children. Communication was basic: poeple stopped and talked to each other, more honestly, more philosphically, with love and care about each other. The car did not rule; the phone did not intrude. Families struggled, and largely stayed together. Relationships had value. We now live in a world where communication is supposedly master and paramount – a world where we fail to communicate on a simple, basic & honest level. Relationships have become disposable.  It scares me what we have left for our children.

I remember vividly the “Cuba Crisis”, and hiding under the bed at night in case of nuclear attack. Yet today’s kids seem oblivious to the machinations of our lunatic politicians. We cannot turn the clock back. Neither can we stop Capitalism screwing up our world and climate. The masters of industry and politicians are not listening – nor do they care. They have only short term gain as their vision. No plea of “what are you leaving your grandchildren?” will reach their money stuffed ears.

In the meantime, I will take photographs to at least remind myself of how beautiful this fragile planet of ours can be.

~ by johnkavanagh on November 1, 2006.