Ultimately

Not wanting to be morbid on this beautiful Wednesday morning, but I wanted to share two of the most memorable images from my Italy trip (and like I said Sunday, I promise I won't make this blog my family vacation slide show!).

Many know about the ancient city of Pompeii. In the year 79AD, a volcano (Mt Vesuvius) erupted burying Pompeii and her sister city in a wall of ash that hid the city for 1700 years. In 1748, Pompeii was accidentally discovered, showing the world perhaps the best preserved site of an ancient Roman civilization. Believe me, the preservation is incredible. When many think of Pompeii they think of the plaster casts. That's what I thought of. When uncovering the site, many voids in the ash were found with human remains. The workers injected plaster into the voids and the result was a near perfect recreation of the people who died from the gas and ash, frozen in their last moment (including animals).

The second picture is from St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. I can't remember the altar or the tomb. Having to look at one of the largest and most important churches in the world in 30 minutes, I could really take note of everything - except for this. A part of a great work of sculpture is a hand reaching out from a shroud holding an hourglass. The guide called our attention and said it is to remind us that life, basically, is short.

Again, not wanting to be morbid, but it's true. It's a fact the people of Pompeii continue to share with their city and plaster casts and it's fact the skeleton hand teaches to each pilgrim that walks by. But we should not be full of anxiety or worry. Life is fleeting, it is short, it will end - but it will not be over.

There is great freedom in knowing this and letting go all the attempts to control and stop what will ultimately happen. Live today. Live fully and joyfully. Smile today. Make someone else smile. Enjoy life and be thankful. For this is only the beginning.