Once the giants walked among us.


They were giants not because of their awesome physical height --- yet even if they may not be taller than most of us or even shorter at times --- they were still giants.


They were giants because they had greatness of mind, heart and soul far much more than the mere mortals. They were far bigger, greater than those who consider themselves most privileged and blessed.  


They were giants because when they undertook action, when they made decisions, when they made changes --- the earth moved. They did not follow fashion --- they created it.  They were not mere trends: they were statements.


And even those who boasted of power and/or wealth --- even those who wielded their names and claimed royalty, they were made to look insignificant beside the giants. 


The charlatans and the arrogant generals were so belittled.  For theirs may be the gold or the sharpness of swords --- but unlike the giants, they were not immortal.


Men of wealth and power also die --- and they are merely remembered for how much they have and not how they affected the lives of men.  


Men who are praised for their riches or physical strength are never remembered for their souls.  That is because they are deemed as mortals.


The mortals may be remembered ... but not for the right reasons. Unlike the giants whose temporary stay on earth was but a passing phase to insure that they shall never be forgotten or less loved by those who deserved or were gifted to know them.


The giants have all gone.


Like the immortals who have left to return to a place more deserving of their greatness, the giants have left a legacy to serve as both inspirations and challenges.


They are inspirations for they give proof that, yes, such works can be done --- and should be done --- for they shall, like all works of immortals, remain timeless.


And they shall always provide challenges --- for who, among the ranks of men, can come up to the standards that they have left, the ideals that they have imparted ... and the lives they led as examples of art in themselves.


Once there were giants ... and now they have all gone.