I’ve been reading a biography about Sylvia Plath for the past few weeks. I find her life story sad. It seems she was devastated by her father’s death and felt controlled by her mother to a great extent. So I understand the things that drove her to write and try to get her writing published. But honestly, if I had not read her life story, I would never understand her poetry. I still cannot get into her poetry even now. I’ve also tried reading The Bell Jar, but alas, I guess I am just not a fan of her work.

However, I do want to say that I find it very sad that a woman so young took her own life. It seems she was mentally ill, perhaps from early on. I understand feeling that depressed and desperate, though. But to all my artist and writing friends, I just want to say, we only get one chance at life. Don’t let it pass you by without trying to leave something of yourself behind. Something encouraging. Something good. Something others will want to share and pass on. We only get once chance to leave our mark.

Make it a beautiful one.