Brian J. French - bjfrench.com
REQUIESCAT
"And what good's a life that leaves nothing behind? Not a thought or a dream that might echo in time?" --Beethoven, "What Is Eternal," from Beethoven's Last Night by Trans-Siberian Orchestra
How do we preserve the memory of those who are gone? How much effort is one willing to expend to preserve that memory? The way a headstone is marked can reveal so much about the time in which the deceased lived: the use of language, iconography, and social status all yield vital clues. In addition, how that headstone survives the test of time is also revealing: why was it worth the upkeep? Are there any surviving members willing to keep the memory alive? Or is it best for Nature to reclaim what's hers?
How do we preserve the memory of those who are gone? How much effort is one willing to expend to preserve that memory? The way a headstone is marked can reveal so much about the time in which the deceased lived: the use of language, iconography, and social status all yield vital clues. In addition, how that headstone survives the test of time is also revealing: why was it worth the upkeep? Are there any surviving members willing to keep the memory alive? Or is it best for Nature to reclaim what's hers?