One by one, the luminous lights are being extinguished. A stark reminder yet again, that life is fragile, ephemeral, fickle. One of my most-favorite-ever of authors passed away today. Goodbye, and rest in peace, Sir Terry Pratchett. You have given me the gifts of laughter and a deeper understanding of life. Thank you for everything. You shall live forever in our hearts and minds.
The following is a screenshot from the only official announcement (from the Publishers) that I could access on the internet – at the website of PJSM Prints UK, a seller of art and merchandise related to the DiscWorld universe created by Sir PTerry in his novels.
Credit: screenshot from the website of PJSM Prints UK
The Guardian has posted a collection of his 15 best quotes; there would be many more of such lists in the next few days, I’m sure. The title of this post is a quote from his book, Going Postal. I don’t know who decides and ranks which ones of his priceless aphorisms are worthy of being listed as ‘best’. To me, my absolute favorite is one from his DiscWorld books, Thief of Time, published in 2001:
There is in truth no past, only a memory of the past. Blink your eyes, and the world you see next did not exist when you closed them. Therefore… the only appropriate state of the mind is surprise. The only appropriate state of the heart is joy. The sky you see now, you have never seen before. The perfect moment is now. Be glad of it.
I am glad that in this perfect moment, I had the honor and the privilege of being acquainted with your towering intellect and spellbinding wizardry with words. You wrote: “No one is actually dead until the ripples they cause in the world die away…” (Reaper Man, 1997). That gives me hope that you are going to stick around for a little while longer, aren’t you, you absolutely wonderful and adorable gentleman. Binky, please take care of him.*
Credit: Screenshot from Sir Terry Pratchett’s twitter account @terryandrob
* It’s okay, dear reader, if you don’t know who or what Binky is.
Damnit damnit damnit. I’d so hoped there’d be a breakthrough that would save him.
An easy ride, Binky, please. And take him to the house, not the endless sand plain.
Thank you for your message, Margaret.
Yours in grief,
Kausik