We're going to try to finish the cranes by our anniversary, June 30, as our gift to each other. The first wedding anniversary is supposed to be paper, after all, so it's fitting. Wish us luck! I promise I'll quit talking about this soon and just list the current total before getting on with regular posts, but I thought
all this info from Wikipedia was interesting:
Thousand origami cranes (千羽鶴 Senbazuru) is a group of one thousand origami paper cranes (鶴 tsuru
) held together by strings. An ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane, such as long life or recovery from illness or injury. This makes them popular gifts for special friends and family. The crane in Japan is one of the mystical or holy creatures (others include the dragon and the tortoise), and is said to live for a thousand years.A thousand paper cranes are traditionally given as a wedding gift by the father, who is wishing a thousand years of happiness and prosperity upon the couple. They can also be gifted to a new baby for long life and good luck. Hanging Senbazuru
in one's home is thought to be a powerfully lucky and benevolent charm.Several temples, including some in Tokyo and Hiroshima, have eternal flames for World Peace. At these temples, school groups or individuals often donate Senbazuru
to add to the prayer for peace. The cranes are left exposed to the elements, slowly dissolving and becoming tattered as the wish is released. In this way they are related to the prayer flags of India and Tibet. In Western countries, the custom has been extended from giving Senbazuru
to cancer patients, to using them at funerals or on the grave.
In Memoriam: I just spoke with a friend of mine, and evidently my former coworker and friend Marc killed himself with a single gunshot to the head on Monday night. He had been despondent for a long while, owing to relationship difficulties and unemployment problems. I and a few others of you know just how bad depression can be, and I know how impossible it can be to consider the feelings of friends and family when you're in that much pain. I never condemn anyone for suicide, as sometimes when you're in torment it can seem like the only way out, and I hope he is at peace now.
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| Marc Stuart |
I will always remember him for being friendly to me when I was new at the hotel, and taking care of matters that intimidated me when I was on overnights so that nothing would hurt me or make me too uncomfortable. He made me laugh at a very difficult time of my life and introduced me to greasy spoon diner food at 3am. He took me to Jazz Alley to listen to some really wonderful musicians, and it was a great time. He was funny and caring, and all of us who knew him will miss him. Rest in peace, Marc. We still love you.
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