She had so much to live for.
Doreen had reached the summit in her field of research. But she was still asking questions she wanted answers to. She would have followed another line of research had she lived. I can’t remember what it was. She told me, but because I’m not a scientist, I forget what it was. Maybe it had to do with her interest in evolution.
Speaking of evolution, what sense can I make of our human evolution? In order to accommodate our big heads, our mothers deliver us at an acutely dependent stage of development; our big brains have survival value. We learn and learn, explore and create, grow intellectually, until we die. Death does not seem like a sensible end to creatures with all that brain development.
Doreen enjoyed life. She had one of the liveliest intellects of anyone I ever knew. Her body, however, fell apart and no longer supported her.
I have no answer. I’m not sure I even have a question. But she should have lived longer, much, much longer. I can’t make sense of any of this. Can you?
treewithroots
Thank you for writing these wonderful tributes to your sister–Doreen.
And forgive me for being bold enough to attempt to answer your question. But perhaps your sister has evolved and transcended her body’s shell becoming part of the air that you breathe, the love you feel, the questions you ponder–becoming a deep, solid part of you.
With hugs
Leanne
Thank you for sharing your lovely thoughts on this subject, Leanne.