Lives

One of my favorite publications is the New York Times' annual "The Lives They Lived" edition.
It has really evolved from its origins some 10 years or-so ago; now recounting some lives in graphic novel format, others in simple illustrations, and even including the unfamous: this year's examples being the community of Paradise Park, N.J., decimated by Hurricane Sandy, and the sad tale of Najiba, an Afghani woman martyred by backward Afghan men.
I came away from this year's issue, partly devoured early on Sunday morning when I could not sleep, with these keepers: (All quoted from the Times.)
From Susan Jeffers: "We live in a society that teaches us to grasp for control, total control of everything. But perhaps the grasping only makes things worse." Susan wrote "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway" and "Embracing Uncertainty."
From Erica Kennedy: "What does having it all mean? Does it mean having some fancy title, executive perks, making a lot of money, having your book on the New York Times best-seller list? Or does it mean waking up and looking forward to your day, whatever you make of it?" Erica  was an author who wrote "Bling" and "Feminista."
From Kitty Wells: "Sometimes maximum impact requires minimum drama." Kitty was a country music singer who wrote "It wasn't God who made honky tonk angels."
One of the bittersweet emotions that wells up upon reading the obituaries of strangers is the great sadness of not having known them, or known of them. Only now that they are gone do I know anything about Susan, Erica, Kitty, Najiba, Paradise Park and the people who made it so.
Thank you for your stories. And for your lives.
Love, Katy