One of the members of our work family has been told that she's terminal after a long struggle with illness, and that there isn't much time. Understandably she spent her last work days with us recently and even though she hasn't been gone for long, the building seems so empty without her there.
I've never met anyone who brings that much sunshine to the world as she does. It has made me realize just how insignificant some things really are. Reminds you to make the most of every day because time can't be bought, bargained for, bribed, or borrowed. Out of all the things we have in life, time is the most precious.
I can't stop thinking about this and keep playing it over and over in my head. Seems so wrong that those who will virtually do anything to try and hold on to the very life that runs through their veins have to have that taken away from them where others just live their lives recklessly and at random. How often do we feel overwhelmed by life's disappointments and let downs yet when we hurt we fail to realize that we hurt because it signals we're alive. No matter how much pain there is, one thing we never want to let go of is hope.
We wanted to do something special for her so we have asked for City Planning's permission to do some street art, or a special graffiti on one of the street facing walls in Pretoria. It seems this is a lengthy process so while we wait we have started 'the hoop project'. This is a special project that we are taking part in, and anyone else that wants to do this can. She's always been full of hope, and the word 'hoop' is tattooed on her arm, hence the hoop project. We are all going to do some graffiti art somewhere and send in our photos (showing as much of the landscapes behind) to a blog where she can see them come to life.
"When hope is hungry, everything feeds it."
