Life is such a precious gift.
As much as I would like to think that I live my life to its fullest capacity, I know that I don't. As much as I have moments in life (usually funerals and memorials) that slap me back into reality and promptly remind me of the fact that our time on this place we call Earth is incredibly short and only has the significance that we designate it, if we allow it to affect us, I fear that the affect of these moments is short-lived...too short-lived.
I find myself in tears as write this post....Ben Tassinari, an amazing individual (who I cannot say that I had the honor of knowing personally but can say that I had the honor of hearing him and the Bates College Deansmen sing at my high school in 1998) passed away on April 28, 2007, certainly before he should have. As soon as I confirmed the truth of what I read at the beginning of a YouTube video, I found that I was overcome with tears and with great sorrow. I felt an incredible loss, not for myself but for the many people who were loved by Ben and those who dearly loved him. Admittedly though, up until this evening, I still had thoughts and hope that I would magically somehow be able to see those particular Deansmen again one day, two individuals specifically (Ben, one of them)....an idealistic and silly dream that started in a young girl that continues to amuse the now woman. So much for that one.
I had the joy to see his grand smile and to hear his once-in-a-lifetime voice (and the unmistakable genuine energy that accompanies a personality like him) at one point in my entire life -- a voice that told you he was an endearing, adventerous, gentle, affectionate, life-loving, people-adoring human being, and he could undoubtedly stop a room if he wanted to (but he didn't want to outshine others unless the moment called for it, as his Deansmen performances did). He's someone whose eyes and spirit touched you immediately upon meeting his. Simply put: He's an amazing person, but these words fail to do him justice. I know that.
I'll never forget him -- his name, his face, his voice, his spirit....He's just someone who is what I call "a unique." They're rare in this world. And, he certainly was. One just knows it.
I don't mean to focus on him, especially since it's not my place to describe someone I never really knew (I will leave that to his family, friends and other loves ones); but, I do want to honor him, his joyous life, and I need to make a point. Who am I to speak of someone I never knew? [Besides, have you ever known me to speak briefly about anyone or anything before? Ok, maybe when pressed to do it, but no, not as a general rule. Back to the point now....(giggles)]
Despite the fact that I am deeply impacted by Ben's passing, the simultaneously heartbreaking and inspiring words of his friends and loved ones, and his voice trailing at the end of the songs I'm listening to off of the Internet and off of the Introne CD (1997) that I have, I also know that I will likely very soon take life's fleeting time for granted. I certainly don't want to nor do I mean to, but I admittedly get wrapped up in the silly things we (the collective "we" humans here) have managed to claim as "important!" in our lives. Yep. That's me......Human.
I suppose that through this post, I hope to provide others with inspiration (I know, I need to work on my pitch a little. Point taken.), and I hope to have it serve as a more frequent reminder (than the voice inside your head) to have that "joie de vivre" and to not let the cautious voice always rule your desire to enjoy life's fantastically beautiful and exuberant moments.
I hope the best for you in your endeavors throughout your lifetime, and I send you my love and my support.
Always,
Juliet
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"And now here is my secret, a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye. "
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
"Grown-ups never understand anything for themselves, and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining things to them."
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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