Entropy

We went for a walking tour of Old Tbilisi, some parts older than others, and when we came to a vacant lot our guide pointed out that there had been a house here that was recently torn down because it was in "poor condition". Across the street from the lot was this beauty.

And we paused to reflect on the definition of "poor condition". As there are families still living in it, it must not yet have been deemed "poor" enough.

All of the remaining, intact, ancient churches we've seen have their foundations built right down to the bedrock, but for some reason they don't seem to do the same for most of the houses. And since this is earthquake country, there are dire consequences. Not sure why the short-sighted workmanship, but it does make for some very interesting, slowly crumbling buildings.

I remember when, in high school science, I first learned about entropy. A part of me has lived in utter terror ever since. When I see this kind of stunning decay, I can almost feel the inevitable degradation of the universe into disorder. In discussing it with my husband, he offhandedly proposed that that is precisely why there must be a spiritual realm.

And a light illuminated in my mind. Yes! It makes sense to me that there must be balance in the universe--yin and yang--of light and dark, infinite and infinitesimal. The unseen spiritual realm of never-ending life in balance with the ever-decaying physical dimension. For the first time in 20 years, my terror was quieted.