Thursday, November 19, 2015

Live, laugh, love


I may be a bit early, but when I created my journal spread today, based on  "Live, laugh, love", I couldn't wait to share it. It has been a touchstone for most of my life and I have a number of art pieces based on those words.
When my daughter posted this new version, I knew it applied so much to the events of the past week, as well as all the horribleness in the world.


Live every moment, laugh every day, love beyond words.



The words of a Frenchman, Antoine Leiris, to the murderers of his  wife, really touched me and if you haven't read his words pleasedo so.
 Love must prevail over hate. What a wise, wise soul he has. If he can express these words, everyone else must.

Here is his letter in English to the murderers (I have taken the liberty to highlight certain sentneces)


Friday night, you took an exceptional life -- the love of my life, the mother of my son -- but you will not have my hatred I don't know who you are and I don't want to know, you are dead souls. If this God, for whom you kill blindly, made us in his image, every bullet in the body of my wife would have been one more wound in His heart.
So, no, I will not grant you the gift of my hatred. You're asking for it, but responding to hatred with anger is falling victim to the same ignorance that has made you what you are. You want me to be scared, to view my countrymen with mistrust, to sacrifice my liberty for my security. You lost.
I saw her this morning. Finally, after nights and days of waiting. She was just as beautiful as when she left on Friday night, just as beautiful as when I fell hopelessly in love over 12 years ago. Of course I am devastated by this pain, I give you this little victory, but the pain will be short-lived. I know that she will be with us every day and that we will find ourselves again in this paradise of free love to which you have no access.

We are just two, my son and me, but we are stronger than all the armies in the world. I don't have any more time to devote to you, I have to join Melvil who is waking up from his nap. He is barely 17-months-old. He will eat his meals as usual, and then we are going to play as usual, and for his whole life this little boy will threaten you by being happy and free. Because no, you will not have his hatred either.
Here is a link to his remarkable words spoken.

11 comments:

Unknown said...

what a beautiful post. Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Maron said...

Words to remember and live by!

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful post, thanks for sharing. Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie

SCarol said...

This moved me to tears. Thanks for sharing the letter, I hadn't seen it. It is the only way we can respond to these blind acts of hatred so it can't go on feeding on itself. Very appropriate journal page too.

Kate Robertson said...

I love the quote on your page. Thanks for sharing the story from France. When they have your hate the terrorists win. Thanks for linking up.

Kate

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

What a beautiful and fitting tribute. And of course, so is the great art you shared. It has so much meaning as does the letter that pointed out the senselessness of hatred. I really like the colors you chose, too.

Jill Holmes said...

It is never the wrong time of year to spread love...beautiful....

Linda Kunsman said...

beautiful art and thank you for sharing that very touching letter.

DVArtist said...

I am crying. I wish everyone could take these words and live by them. I believe them.

Unknown said...

That is an inspiring journal page. I understand why you wanted to share it. You commented on my post that you have been avoiding writing. A kind mentor pointed out to me when I had the same experience that I must be avoiding something. Ask yourself, what are you avoiding by not writing?

Carolyn Dube said...

Live, laugh, love are such wise words- beautiful way to capture that in your art journal! Thanks for sharing with Let's Play!