This Precious Thing Called Life
I had planned to post my May favorites today, but in light of this morning's news about Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade's death a few days ago, a silly post about material objects just doesn't feel right. My heart hurts and thoughts about our precious and short lives are whirling around my confused and heartbroken head.
Kate Spade's death was shocking. A successful woman who started a bubbly, colorful brand hung herself with a scarf in her Manhattan apartment. These words are chilling. To wake up this morning to discover Anthony Bourdain hung himself in a hotel in France, where he was filming new episodes of "Parts Unknown" was equally as shocking and heartbreaking. How can so much pain and sadness happen in the span of one week?
My first instinct is to try to understand it, realizing only moments later that I never can. I do not know Anthony Bourdain or Kate Spade. I knew of their life, some of their story and their successes, but I will never know the pain, sorrow and anguish they must have suffered to get to such a dark place. The lives we saw them live looked so glamorous and wonderful, and at times I am sure they were exactly that. But there is more to a person than fame and money and hat we see through the media and online. What we see is only a fraction of the story. All I can really do is honor them in my own little way and send thoughts of love to their family and loved ones. All I can do is remember that everyone struggles and to be mindful of this. Smile at a stranger or engage with someone waiting in the grocery line with you. Make human connections. You never know how or if these small gestures will make a different in someone's day, but it can't hurt to try. Of course, not all pain can be healed with a smile, but it can certainly help.
It's hard to accept that it takes a tragedy to recognize how fragile we are and how much we need kindness and understanding in this world. May these souls rest in peace. And may we begin to treat each other with more care and love. Today, and everyday, hold those you love dearly close to you and always show kindness to everyone you come across in this live. This precious thing called life is fleeting and we must cherish it and one another.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or text 'Hello' to 741741. You do not have to go through the pain alone.
Images: PC and WWD
Kate Spade's death was shocking. A successful woman who started a bubbly, colorful brand hung herself with a scarf in her Manhattan apartment. These words are chilling. To wake up this morning to discover Anthony Bourdain hung himself in a hotel in France, where he was filming new episodes of "Parts Unknown" was equally as shocking and heartbreaking. How can so much pain and sadness happen in the span of one week?
My first instinct is to try to understand it, realizing only moments later that I never can. I do not know Anthony Bourdain or Kate Spade. I knew of their life, some of their story and their successes, but I will never know the pain, sorrow and anguish they must have suffered to get to such a dark place. The lives we saw them live looked so glamorous and wonderful, and at times I am sure they were exactly that. But there is more to a person than fame and money and hat we see through the media and online. What we see is only a fraction of the story. All I can really do is honor them in my own little way and send thoughts of love to their family and loved ones. All I can do is remember that everyone struggles and to be mindful of this. Smile at a stranger or engage with someone waiting in the grocery line with you. Make human connections. You never know how or if these small gestures will make a different in someone's day, but it can't hurt to try. Of course, not all pain can be healed with a smile, but it can certainly help.
It's hard to accept that it takes a tragedy to recognize how fragile we are and how much we need kindness and understanding in this world. May these souls rest in peace. And may we begin to treat each other with more care and love. Today, and everyday, hold those you love dearly close to you and always show kindness to everyone you come across in this live. This precious thing called life is fleeting and we must cherish it and one another.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or text 'Hello' to 741741. You do not have to go through the pain alone.
Images: PC and WWD
