What would you name her? I
chose the title name because it seemed appropriate and heartfelt. She
reminds me so much of myself and that's why the sight of her stopped me
dead in my tracks. From her build to the details of her hair; she has a
hard exterior, yet you can almost get a sense of how fragile she is on the
inside. She seems somewhat burdened by worry or maybe just the weight of
the world yet there is such vulnerability in seeing her down on one bended
knee. Many of you may already know her history and where she resides. For
those of you that don't, she is placed behind the first gate of the 10-bedroom Italian
palazzo-style mansion once occupied by the famous Italian fashion designer
Gianni Versace. I took this picture a little less than two-weeks ago when I was
in Miami on business. The guards at the property were gracious enough to open
the main gate for me as they noticed that I was peering around like a total creep
to get a glimpse of this statue. I was so intrigued through the gate that you
can only imagine how in awe of this woman statue I was when they opened the
gate and let me inside. “Stunning”, was what my mouth said but there was so
much more to be said about it. That’s
the beauty of art. One’s perception is
theirs and theirs alone. I would have
paid money to see more of this exquisite home.
The guards weren’t able to touch my camera so I wasn’t able to take a
picture next to the statue because I was alone.
Her pose was so interesting because one can go many different directions
with it. I imagined a woman just wanting
peace and tranquility; just wanting to shut things off if that makes any sense?
The world can become so painfully noisy at times that even thinking or
remaining focused become difficult. Living in New York City can further
maximize that level of difficulty. Finding a decent level of peace and tranquility
here can be a daunting task. Anything that provokes this much thought in me is
worth further exploration.
So now I found myself behind the
front gate of the mansion that I sat in front of my television watching in
horror as its owner lie dead on the very steps that I just walked up. I felt horrible for Versace on that day back
in July of 1997. I felt as if he had so much more to offer the world. It was one of those crushing blows that you
feel even when you don‘t know the person that passed away. He died early in the morning although certain
reports say he died at night; I remember watching the news coverage like it was
yesterday. It seemed like he walked out of his home to get his morning paper and
coffee with such enthusiasm and life. There’s a bit of irony to the fact that
I’m here in South Beach in July. In some spiritual way I’m very moved by this. Walking up the stairs to the gate is
something I feel like I must do respectfully.
The spirit of this man is still here at this home. Not in a hovering way just in the sense that
he must have found great peace living here in this beautiful home on Ocean
Drive. This home is like the best of both worlds. You get this Italian extravagance here in
Florida. The guards are so kind to me that this also feels slightly eerie to
me. The connection I’ve made with the spirit makes me feel like the spirit has
urged these strangers to open the gates and allow me in to satisfy my
curiosity. If you’ve ever been to this property which is currently listed at
$125,000,000, it isn’t some type of museum for onlookers although many tourists
that are familiar with the story do stop at the front and look in awe. Some take pictures; some just stare at the
steps maybe thinking back to that dreadful day that Versace was murdered. I’ve actually heard that the property is currently
facing bankruptcy and I can’t understand for the life of me why the city wouldn’t
just turn it into a museum.
In many ways, I feel like a museum
might bring Versace and his family great peace.
I’m sure he was immensely proud of the brilliance of this home and a
museum would seem like a celebration of life.
Oh what I’d give to ask him what the statue I’m standing in front of
means today. He’d probably have a
fabulously detailed answer that would blow my mind and leave me with my mouth
hanging open but for now I’ll have to come up with my own analogy. Today she will be the Queen of Wishful
Thinking. She is hopeful and strong but every now and again she needs to turn
the world off. She walks in faith, but
the noise of the world tends to drown her spirit. She appears flawless on the outside but she
struggles with the state of the world and with the adversity it throws her way
on the inside. She stays in harmful
situations longer than she should and she often loves those who don’t reciprocate
the feeling genuinely in return. She is unique and she is so different that she
is extraordinary. She fears God and she
longs for the day that he will call her home to her original state of being. She appreciates every second of life here on
earth and she adores those that are in her life more than they will ever be
able to comprehend. I can almost lose myself in thinking of this statue. So
much so that I wish I could take her with me and find a home big enough to keep
her in my living room (I so mean this), lol. What would this statue represent
for you? If my vision does nothing for you, please share your commentary
here. I’d love to read your
analogies. Until we meet again…
Much Luv