Tuesday, December 12, 2006

"The Joy of Knowing"

I was in Sig Sam; the science and medicine library at U of T the other day. Studying again.... can't wait to be done with this!.... my friend Caloy dela Reyna never said "good luck" before an exam, but always "God bless".... I need that good stuff right now. Anyways, like I was saying, I was in Sig Sam Library. As I was walking through the book stacks, I happened to glance at a book title which grabbed my attention.... "La Joie de Connaitre, Souvenirs d'un Geologue".... is that a medical book? I was intrigued, so I opened it up and was fascinated by the dedication:

"a la memoire de mes deux fils Joseph et Pierre rappeles par Dieu l'un a treize ans, l'autre a vinght huit. Avant qu'ils eussent accompli de grandes Taches. Enfants bien-aimes que je pleure chaque jour, mais que j'espere fermment revoir dan la patrie inimaginable ou il n'y a plus que de la joie." ~Pierre Termier, 1928

It made me think that in the entire library system at the university, there must be millions of books, and that behind the stories written on their pages, was the million or so untold stories of their authors. For a moment, this book made me think of two young men from France who lived a century ago, taken at too early an age, and "taken before they could accomplish their great tasks". A father who loved them deeply, mourned their loss daily, and "firmly hoped" to see them again in eternal life "where there is only joy". This book is a father's memorial to his sons. As long as it exists, and has not disintegrated into dust, someone perhaps a century from now, will pick it up as I did, and remember all three of them again. In the age of electronic information, there is something romantically eternal about a book. Je me souviens Joseph, Pierre et M. Termier..... et je suis heureux de connaitre un petit peu leur histoire.... I am happy to know a little bit about their story....

Perhaps one day, in the very distant future, someone will come upon this blog entry, and be as equally fascinated.... but probably not....

TECHNORATI TAGS: , , , ,

17 comments:

Miss Blogger said...

Hi Angelo! Your friend probably read The Catcher in the Rye, hehe... Anyway, God bless on your exams! :)

I love libraries! I remember back in college, what I do was I pick a random book and read Chapter 3... trip ko lang! hehehe

Happy Wednesday!

Anonymous said...

Hey Sasha! ang bilis mo, I was just coming from your blog :)

That's an interesting thing to try the next time I'm at a library :) Happy Wednesday to you too!

Anonymous said...

And that is exactly why we blog... so that our little lives would have meaning. If we didn't write about our lives, the world could turn into dust and it wouldn't even matter.

Wow, you have a wonderful library!

Anonymous said...

Hey Toe, I never thought of that, but you're right, that is a most excellent reason to blog.... and the electronic medium doesn't turn into dust as readily as a book. Here's to our posterity!

ghee said...

I love libraries...the smell of them and the smell of the pages of books as well.I could stay 3 hours just browsing or reading some..staying in a library makes my life a little "slow pace",though I find no time...

you`re reading these kinda books,while "children`s books" catch my attentions so often,maybe you find me shallow,or maybe its my own world ^_^

God bless you,Angelo...I know He`s on your side while youre doin your exams :)

and thank you for checking me out always,your msgs soothe me and make me relax a little.I should update tonight,if I`m not too tired and find something left in my brain. :)

and yeah,hope someday someone come up and say about the fascination for your entry :)

You take care,too.I`m always watchin you...

ghee

Anonymous said...

Hey Ghee, glad to see you, I know how busy you've been lately...it's absolutely not shallow to like children's books... when I was in the Philippines I found this great illustrated version of "Ibong Adarna"... it was a story my lolo used to tell me when I was very little.... it sparked an interest in traditional Filipino children's stories....

well, I look forward to your latest update. take care!

Leah said...

I wish I have more time to go to the library or shall I say make time to go to the library.
Funny how one book can inspire you to write something so good and thought provoking. I wish I could understand French...

That library looks handsome.

God Bless Angelo!

Girlie said...

Hi Angelo...what did the written text say in English? I don't know any French at all...maybe one word, but I don't think it's quite French.

That thing you found, it's what makes a book so special.

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much Leah, I'm gonna need blessings :)

Yeah, I found it so cool to happen to pick up that book, it was like a hidden treasure that unlocked an interesting thought cascade in my head.... to think that 100 years later some stranger in Toronto would think fondly on some man in France who lost his sons....it happens everyday I guess....it's the power of the written word.

Anonymous said...

Hi Shoshana, sorry, I should've provided a direct tranlation, I just tried to paraphrase it, but a direct translation goes something like this: "to the memory of my two sons Joseph and Pierre, recalled by God, one at 13 the other at 20. Before they could accomplish their destinies. Children who were well loved, and for whom I mourned every day, but hope firmly to see again in the unimaginable homeland, where there is nothing but joy."

I thought it was very cool to remember the sorrow this man must have gone through, but also the hope he held, even 100 years later, halfway around the globe....

Anonymous said...

Hi Angelo! I loved the Story Of Ibong Adarna,too! :)

So,hows it going?I`ve finally updated my blog but there`s nothing to expect about it :)

TC and I`m keeping my fingers crossed for the good results of your exams :)

nite,Angelo!

Anonymous said...

Hey Ghee, wasn't sure if Ibong Adarna was just some obscure story....that's cool! TC too, hope your vacation starts soon.

Anonymous said...

Comment tu l'as trouvé ce livre Angelo ? L'histoire semble être intéressante :) ! Am sure I can find this book easily! Hhhhmmmm, I should start reading, oh I am a lazy fart :) !

Anonymous said...

Salut Haze! C'etait un accident.... je marchais pres quand j'ai vu le titre.... I didn't read much of the book though, it just sparked my curiosity what it was doing there.... ususally the books are about physiology, biochem, or whatever...

Unknown said...

Wonderful post. I got here from Saturday photo hunt but will definitely visit again.

Angelo said...

Sarala: Thanks for dropping by, hope to see you again :)

Anonymous said...

Excellent post. I like wour writing style, keep it up!

BTW: I've blogrolled you, so I'll remember to be back....