Deep in the rainforests of the Indian state of Meghalaya, bridges are not built, they’re grown. For more than 500 years locals have guided roots and vines from the native Ficus Elastica (rubber tree) across rivers, using hollowed out trees to create root guidance systems. When the roots and vines reach the opposite bank they are allowed to take root. Some of the bridges are over 100 feet long and can support the weight of 50 people.
i will never forget you my friend.
Thomas Stanley Yates (1988 - 2011)
Thomas Stanley YatesThomas Stanley Yates, age 22, died Sunday, May 29, at his home on McClure St., Clarksville, due to an accidental overdose.
A Memorial gathering will be held at Greenwood Cemetery at 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 5th.
Thomas was born October 4, 1988 in Liverpool, England to parents, Sarah Rebekah and Stanley Yates. The family moved to Texas in 1990, where his sister, Ysabel was born and shortly afterwards to Adams, TN, where Thomas spent the majority of his childhood.
Thomas and his sister were home schooled, giving Thomas the freedom to explore the many things that interested him. An early interest in theater and singing revealed his exceptional memory skills, musical talent, and charisma. He learned to play the piano, organ, and guitar, and became a prodigious creative writer and creator of art works of many types.
Thomas began taking classes at Austin Peay State University at age 15. During this time, he was also a scholarship student at Duke University Medical Science summer programs, and the Creative Writer’s National Workshop at Bard College, NY.
Becoming a pre-pharmacy major at APSU, Thomas continued to write, create art works, and compose many styles of music, performing often in the Clarksville area. “Everything he did was art,” Sarah Rebekah said about her son. “He was the most talented person I’ve ever known, and in so many ways,” his father added.
One of Thomas’ closest friends described him as having “frenetic, kinetic, magnetic radiance, and huge, insurmountable kindness.” His sister describes him as “having as much love, passion and creativity in 22 years to fill many life times.” Thomas himself wrote that “The soul is real in the sense that we are able to be creative, beautiful, and kind.”
Thomas is survived by Sarah Rebekah, Stanley Yates, Ysabel Yates and Sun Ra.
In lieu of flowers, to support local art and music, please send donations to the Coup, 819 Crossland Avenue, Clarksville, TN 37043.
Published in The Leaf Chronicle on June 4, 2011
Train hopper by the name of Zack
Its been a year this month of march that marks the first and second which was the last time we met. I looked and searched for you, asking others if they have met you through the rails. Now, a year later, the search is still a cold case. Wherever you are, hope we meet again. The main reason i wanted to find you was to say thank you for changing my life and giving me courage when nobody else could, and you didn’t even know i needed it, or did you? Fate. Zack from Minnesota is all i know of you, and our Nashville night.
