By now you've heard that renowned theoretical physicist and cosmologist, Stephen Hawking died this morning, at his home in Cambridge, England. He was born in Oxford, on January 8th, 1942, the 300th anniversary of the death of astronomer, Galileo. The irony of the brilliant Cambridge University professor and author dying on March 14th , which is both Albert Einstein's birthday, and Pi Day, is not lost. Hawking always had a great sense of humour!
Pi Day, or 𝝅 Day falls on the greatest of all geek days, 14th day of the 3rd month. Pi is the ratio of the circumference of any circle to the diameter of that circle, and it is always 3.14. In university campus cafeterias, college town diners, and boardrooms of upstart tech companies, pie is featured on today's menu.
I would like to think that Hawking and Einstein, the two most revered scientists of my lifetime, are greeting each other, and sitting down along with Galileo, to a delicious pie, like the heavenly Peach and Blueberry Crumble which my friend Ailene baked for me. Professor Hawking didn't believe in Heaven. He did believe in heaven on earth...that this is the only life we have, and to live each day fully.
For someone who didn't believe in miracles, his life was a miracle. Stricken with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's Disease at the age of 21, he was told he had only two years to live. He survived more than five more decades, dying at the age of 76, surrounded by his family. He had three children by his first wife, and three grandchildren.
Unable to speak, his body contorted and paralyzed, he was entirely dependant on others, and technology for daily care, feeding, communicating, and transportation. Yet, he published best-selling books, went on speaking tours, and continued research and mentoring. He was an inspiration.
This morning, University of Cambridge posted this video in tribute to Professor Hawking...
My tribute to Hawking is a field of Cosmos flowers...looking very much like a constellation of stars.
Photographs Copyright of: Ruth Adams, Widow's Endorphins Photographic Images Incorporated.
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