I heard on my wifi radio this morning that Bettie Page, pin-up icon of the 1950's has lapsed into a coma after suffering a health setback. She has to be one of the most unique and identifiable sex kittens of her era with that trademark - shiny, raven black hair. I'm sure she's in her eighties now and for many years has lived an obscure and private life.
I also read an article about Columbian born author, Gabriel García Márquez - who was awarded a Nobel Prize for Literature in 1982. He has terminal cancer. I'm currently reading his novel "Love in the Time of Cholera." It's a wonderful book. I'm really sad to hear about his illness.
Sounds silly and weird - but when I heard the news about these two persons, it set me off navel-staring, thinking about my own legacy and what I might leave behind.
But then I remembered this lovely piece of literature penned by Emerson: "...to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded."
Two daughters, many gardens, I've played, laughed and sung with verve, I recycle my bottles and paper products, do volunteer work from time to time and hopefully, I've been a good friend and confidant to many persons.
Emerson reminds me, that I've done just fine - so far.