Tag Archives: Albert Camus

No Sun Without Shadow

“There is no sun without shadow, and it is essential to know the night.” – Albert Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus

Archival assistance and emotional support from Farfel. Swissair ticket stubs from 29 December 1960 to 10 February 1961; Vlado’s father, Pavel, died of a heart attack in Berlin 19 December 1960. Sabena ticket stub appears to be from 1956, date is unclear. St. Bernard medal retrieved from the Albertina crash site, Ndola, 17-18 September 1961.
KLM postcard addressed to Vlado, care of the United Nations, New York, N.Y., “The Flying Dutchman”, Douglas DC-6B.
KLM postcard reverse, 29 December 1957: “Dear Vlady, Happy New Year to you and all the best wishes for you from an old friend. I think I won’t see you somewhere in N. York, I am getting married and my new home will be in Curacao…”
Farfel picks his favorite postcard from Vlado, sent from former Leopoldville, Democratic Republic of the Congo, now Kinshasa.
Reverse of postcard from Vlado, 12 August 1961, to his mother, “Maminka”, Madame Olga Fabry.
A better look at the real photo postcard from Vlado, purchased from the “Stanley-Hotel, Avenue Moulaert”.
Vlado’s signet ring, retrieved from the Albertina crash site, Ndola, 17-18 September 1961.

“The struggle itself towards the heights is enough to fill a man’s heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy.” – Albert Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus

Nothing – not even religion or politics – can stop us from caring for each other! Choose Love!

From Albert Camus’ “The Plague”, Part IV: a conversation between priest(Paneloux) and doctor(Rieux), shortly after witnessing the death of a child:

He heard a voice behind him. “Why was there that anger in your voice just now? What we’d been seeing was as unbearable to me as it was to you.”
Rieux turned toward Paneloux.
“I know. I’m sorry. But weariness is a kind of madness. And there are times when the only feeling I have is one of mad revolt.”
“I understand,”Paneloux said in a low voice. “That sort of thing is revolting because it passes our human understanding. But perhaps we should love what we cannot understand.”
Rieux straightened up slowly. He gazed at Paneloux, summoning to his gaze all the strength and fervor he could muster against his weariness. Then he shook his head.
“No, Father. I’ve a very different idea of love. And until my dying day I shall refuse to love a scheme of things in which children are put to torture.”
A shade of disquietude crossed the priest’s face. “Ah, Doctor,” he said sadly, “I’ve just realized what is meant by ‘grace.'”
Rieux had sunk back again on the bench. His lassitude had returned and from its depths he spoke, more gently:
“It’s something I haven’t got; that I know. But I’d rather not discuss that with you. We’re working side by side for something that unites us–beyond blasphemy and prayers. And it’s the only thing that matters.”
Paneloux sat down beside Rieux. It was obvious that he was deeply moved.
“Yes, yes,” he said, “you, too, are working for man’s salvation.”
Rieux tried to smile.
“Salvation’s much too big a word for me. I don’t aim so high. I’m concerned with man’s health; and for me his health comes first.”
Paneloux seemed to hesitate. “Doctor–” he began, then fell silent. Down his face, too, sweat was trickling. Murmuring: “Good-by for the present,” he rose. His eyes were moist. When he turned to go, Rieux, who had seemed lost in thought, suddenly rose and took a step toward him.
“Again, please forgive me. I can promise there won’t be another outburst of that kind.”
Paneloux held out his hand, saying regretfully:
“And yet–I haven’t convinced you!”
“What does it matter? What I hate is death and disease, as you well know. And whether you wish it or not, we’re allies, facing them and fighting them together.” Rieux was still holding Paneloux’s hand. “So you see”–but he refrained from meeting the priest’s eyes–“God Himself can’t part us now.”