Remembering Robert Nesta

Today, without thinking I replaced my desktop background with an old picture of Bob Marley I had up about a month ago. And right after replacing my Leo Giamini with the spiraling locks of Mr Marley I signed online and found out that today is the 28th anniversary of his death from cancer.

When I had first heard stories about how Bob Marley died, the rumor was that he had cancer, which he refused to have treated at the time, leading to his untimely death.

This isn't true.

After seeing 'Catch a Fire' on dvd, Chris Blackwell said himself that at first, Bob didn't want the treatment, believing that it was ya know, his time...but that after becoming more and more sick he did go seek treatment in Germany, right before passing away. Mr. Blackwell commented that when he saw Bob for the last time he looked like he had aged about 40 years, and that even in that state he remained a steadfast rasta, and believer of Jah.

I've heard a lot of people give Bob shit about his last days, saying that if he had just got treatment right away that he wouldn't have died so young, but I think those people just don't understand death, and the universe. Or, if they do understand it, they must fear it.

We all walk along the paths of life, pass through the gates of death alone to be greeted by immortality in the house of the universe. Therefore, fear of death is like a child who is afraid of the darkness of night, forgetting that the sun will ineveitably rise for a new day.

My first proper introduction to reggae music, and Bob Marley was by a friend of mine whose brother's birthday would have been yesterday, had he not recently passed away from cancer. Strange the way the universe works. Very strange.

On a completely different and much lighter note today is beautiful, thank you Mr Marley. And congratulations, because death isn't really death...more like graduation day from the most important schooling of all: life.


"in high tide and low tide, I'll be by your side" Imagine the tides being life, and/or consciousness....it's like Bob's telling us that no matter what, he'll always be around....and because of his music, and his impact on pop culture at large, he will.