Brookgreen

There are experiences that render war, evil, suffering and oppression as alien and unintelligible concepts. I find it easy to see humankind's pride, selfishness and lack of compassion. For me, the unsolvable mystery is that humans who are capable of evil are also capable of creating music that moves our spirit, art that enables us to see beyond ourselves and beauty that overwhelms and leaves no room for self. Sometimes it's a piece of classical music or a watercolor painting. At other times it's an enveloping moment in nature. Yesterday it was the sculpture, gardens and verse at Brookgreen Gardens.

The land for Brookgreen, nine thousand acres of former plantations, was purchased by a wealthy man and his wife, a sculptress, in order to preserve the flora and fauna of the South Carolina low country and to create a sculpture garden accessible by the public. The Gardens opened in 1931.

This visit was my third and was as exciting as the first. I walked through the grounds elated, enthralled and grateful to be alive.

Here, without comment, are a few photos of the scores of sculpture works.


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Sundial. (Larger version)


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Julie, my sister Regenia (aka Jean) and brother-in-law Alan (Larger version)


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One building was filled with sculture of children. Each piece had an associated quote. Julie read one by Dr. Seuss and called out to me "I've found something to put on your grave stone." I read the quote and agreed with her. I don't plan on having a stone but, if I did, it would be appropriate.

Today was good.
Today was fun.
Tomorrow is another one.
- Theodor Seuss Geisel (1904-1991)