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Death is such a cool topic. It carries so many taboos, but that doesn’t stop our ongoing interest in it. From ancient times onward mankind has recorded how people have died in drawing and painting, ritualized the burial process by creating ceremonies, and erected massive monuments like pyramids to those who have gone.

Created by English artist, Damien Hirst, “For the Love of God” is a life-size cast of a human skull in platinum and covered by 8,601 pave-set diamonds weighing 1,106.18 carats.

The single large diamond in the middle of the forehead is reportedly worth $4.2 million alone. Hirst financed the project himself, last year, sold the piece for £50 million to an unknown investment group

It is a spectacular tribute to life and death, I wonder how the person whose skull was used for the cast would have felt had s/he known what would happen. Immortalization in form.

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There has been a horrible plane crash in Madrid, Spain today. Details are sketchy yet, but it appears that there are about 150 people dead.

I can imagine that many of these were families with children on their way home at the end of summer holidays. People will have gotten on the plane thinking of what they have done, and sadly of what they had yet to accomplish. Entire families will have perished. The future lost.

Lives of those lost will be frozen in time for the friends and familes. There will be horrible guilt and pain for the injured and the survivors. There will be grief for those left behind. People are already joining together, mourning the loss of life online. If you would like to add your condolences please leave them at the online tribute for the victims of Spanair.

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It’s a sad reality that we have had many tributes to fallen soldiers created on Respectance. Every time there is a new casualty our collective hearts sink. This week our hearts sank a little lower when we read of Shirley Case’s death in Afghanistan.

Shirley meant a lot to her collegues, and I am sure that she meant even more to those she helped,

“It was with particular sadness we learned of the deaths of Shirley Case and Jacqueline Kirk. We are proud and privileged to have had them on our CARE Canada team in the past. We knew them. We worked with them. They were part of our family. Both will be greatly missed by the entire CARE family.”

………..Kevin McCort, CEO, CARE Canada

It is tragic that so many innocent men and women are dying through out the world, not as armed combatents but as innocents.  Some are simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, and others are those who are ‘made examples of’. 

Shirley, and all of the other brave men and women working throughout the world for NGO’s, risking the health and their lives deserve to work safely, and deserve our respect.  Thank you Kevin McCort for sharing Shirley’s story with us and creating an online tribute. 

Thank you Shirley for all that you did.

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Loved ones consist of family members, friends, and even pets. Being the dog lover that I am, I was extremely touched by the heart-felt story of a German Shepherd who stood guard at her master’s side Jake Baysinger (25) after he tragically took his own life. Cash– the dog’s name –stood guard for six weeks surviving on rats and rabbits. She was found thin and dehydrated but since then has returned to Jake’s wife and son who are happy to have her back. The following tribute was created in honor of Jake:

Jake Baysinger online memorial

The memories that we have of a passed loved one might include the loyal animals that they cherished. My grandmother, for instance, had a small Boston Terrier who would start barking once you set foot in my grandmother’s home, regardless of who you were. Nevertheless, she loved him so much. They were inseparable. Did your loved ones–family members or friends –have memorable pets??

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Isaac Hayes was a musical and sexual icon. He played his self proclaimed role of Black Moses perfectly. He tantalized his audience, appearing bare chested with chain vests in the era when soul acts wore suits. He was bald, muscular, totally sexy, and talented. He rocked, playing with his own brand of smooth.

His most famous hits included the theme song to Shaft, Hold on, and When Something Is Wrong With My Baby. He laid the groundwork for what would become Disco, and he laid it well - winning an Academy Award and Grammys for his tunes.

He went on to inspire singers and composers alike and you can hear his influence today in young singers like Alicia Keys and Dr. Dre.

You can leave your memories at his online tribute, watch the video and chill out. Isaac will be missed, but not forgotten.

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