浮生

China · Female · age 76

Born to a working-class family in a small southern town, the first in her family to attend university. She spent thirty years as a bridge engineer and worked on seven river crossings. In her later years she took up oil painting and held one small exhibition. She shared 41 years with her partner and raised a daughter. She died in her sleep at 76.

"Once a bridge is built, people can meet. All my work, in the end, was about sparing people the detours."

Nigeria · Female · age 63

Born fifth of eight children in a large family on the outskirts of Lagos. She worked as a seamstress and a street vendor, then at forty opened her own clothing workshop with a dozen apprentices. She raised 4 children and lived to see 9 grandchildren. She died of illness at 63.

"She always said fabric remembers the warmth of hands. Now it is our turn to remember her."

Sweden · Male · age 91

Born in a northern fishing village, he kept a lighthouse for most of his life. He never married, yet every Christmas former visitors returned to the lighthouse to see him. He was still writing in his diary at ninety, in a steady hand. He died peacefully at 91, leaving 62 diaries behind.

"He was not keeping a light. He was keeping every night sailor."