Memories

The living know that they are going to die it is a thing yet to come and therefore provision may be made for it. The dead know they are dead and it is too late they are on the other side of the great gulf fixed. When life is gone, all this world to us is gone with it. There is an end of all our acquaintances with this world and the things of it . While the dead were still alive they were intimately acquainted with it. It does not appear that they know anything of what is done by those they leave behind. There is an end of all our enjoyment in this world. They don’t regard their toil any more but all they acquired must be left to others: they have a reward for their holy actions but not for their worldly ones. The things of this world will not be a portion for the soul . The grave is a land of forgetfulness; the memory of those that are laid there is soon forgotten. Their place knows them not, nor does the lands they called by their own names. The person and their actions die together. In that place we shall never be the better for our friends (their love can do us no kindness) nor ever the worse for our enemies, their hatred and envy can do us no damage. Those things which affect us now and demand so much of our attention will end there. By wisdom make the best use of life and manage wisely what remains.

Nicora Gangi was educated at Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA (BFA 1974 and MFA 1976). She was a Professor of Art at Syracuse University for 29 years. Gangi has been awarded many Grand Prize and First Place awards and grants. She has been and continues to be published in numerous artist’s books on pastel paintings. She has lectured regionally and nationally as a visiting artist at universities and artist’s guilds. She is represented by: Edgewood Gallery (Syracuse, NY), and Gangi Studio (Winter Garden, FL).