A Question
Virginia Woolf asked, “What is the meaning of life?” and then added some insight, saying, “The great revelation had never come…Instead there were little daily miracles, illuminations, matches struck unexpectedly in the dark.”
When I ask that question, no great revelations come to me either, at least nothing definitive. There seems to be a cloudiness around possible answers.
Danny McCracken
One thing that has been happening in my life lately is that my friends are dying. That seems natural when one is old; one’s friends are also old.
Two friends died within the last weeks. Danny McCracken, of North Carolina, died suddenly on November 22nd of a heart attack. He was 61. I had just visited him in mid-November. He had broken his leg earlier this year and was just getting back on the rock. One evening during our visit, he showed me photos of his family: father, mother, grandparents, uncles, aunts… “They’re all dead,” he told me. Now Danny has joined them.
Danny’s last text to me didn’t seem very profound at the time. Now I’m rereading it to try to add some meaning: “I’m going to be out of the house for a bit. You can let yourself in if you get there before me.” Danny is out of the house, and into another realm, for more than a bit. I let myself into his world and am grateful for it.
Shannon Stegg
Another friend, Shannon Stegg, of Georgia, died on December 1st, found dead in his truck. He was 63. We don’t know the cause of death yet. We, along with Ralph Fickle, did the first ascent of Defective Sonar on Laurel Knob in North Carolina. It took us a couple years to finish the route. The predawn arrivals in the dark, the coffee on the Jetboil, the two-mile hike to the base… the walk out in the dark because we all forgot headlamps. We got to know each other well.
Little Daily Miracles
But did I get closer to answering Virginia Woolf’s question through these and other life experiences? I must admit, I haven’t had any great revelations. It almost seems like the more I live and learn the less sure I am of the answer.
But I have had “little daily miracles.” Discussions with Danny, struggles on the rock with Shannon… These are part of the moments that make up my life. And yes, I guess they are illuminations, moments that brought joy to my path. How unexpected are they? Very. They took me off my planned path and put some curves in it, like walking out of Laurel Knob in the dark. We worked together to get out of there along the two-mile trail. Unexpected but illuminating.
The message isn’t clear, as it shouldn’t be. We try to figure out and add meaning for being alive, which is natural and needed. In the end, though, that meaning is something we need to make sense of life. We create it and use it to navigate. The message seems to be to live your life now, fully. Look around you at the people that make it up. Now, pay attention to them.
This Post Has 15 Comments
My sincerest condolences about your friends, Arno.
Warmest regards,
Thank you Cat. 🙂 a
Your Monday WW reflections help many folks understand, and perhaps find meaning in, life. This is another one. I am sorry for these losses of friends who shared your path.
Thank you Sue. I’m glad the lessons help provide meaning. I think they connect us to a larger community that we draw meaning from. a
When we can understand life completely, it will be time to move on up to the next level! Each experience provides a little more clarity if we pay attention, the key word being, “ pay “! Death is simply changing from one form of existence into another form. The physical part is all that leaves ; the essence and all that has been learned remains, for future use ( stored in the soul ) ! You will see those friends again, amid other experiences, in other lifetimes ! Death is not the end!
I too convey my condolences. At my age, passing at 61 and 63 seems tragically young. As you wrote, Virginia Woolf defined life’s meaning as little daily miracles…” Victor Frankl, author of “Man’s search for Meaning” wrote similarly, “experiencing something or encountering someone.” Woolf committed suicide at 59, Frankl credited his search for meaning with helping him survive a concentration camp. I used to think expecting our lives to have meaning a bit arrogant at best, burdensome at best. But I like the way you summed it up at the end. I’d only add, be kind to those people and especially to yourself. I’ve enjoyed your books and classes
Thanks Ken. I’m finding being kind to self and others is more important than ever…as I age. a
Arno may your friends find their way in peace and travel well. See the freshness in each moment, stay curious, hug the ones you love every chance you get. I suppose that any and all of that will do. Travel well, Greg.
Brings a smile to my face Greg. Thanks, a
I am very grateful for these reflections. Thank you
You are welcome Doris. They help me and I’m glad they help others also. Be well and attentive this holiday season and into 2023. a
Great friends, valuable life experiences, gratitude and conscious remembrance. My sincerest condolences
Thank you Matteo. a
My sincerest condolences Arno. As a climber of 50+ years when I see that someone who is close to my age (I’m 66) has passed, it serves as a bit of a wakeup call and maybe a time for self reflection. As to the question the meaning of life, my meditation practice(s) reframe the phrase – “to make this life meaningful”. In this way it is up to each one of us to decide what makes our life meaningful and to live life in a manner that facilitates this process. Enduring friendships that span decades are one of the ways that have made my life meaningful.
Thanks Peter and well spoken on how to find meaning. We’re about the same age, so yes, it really does make one reflect on how one invests precious time. a