The Project :

Every day, this sign – this ‘descanso’ – (Spanish for ‘place of rest’) along the highway of Florida call to me and draws my attention. Along many highways, modern day ‘descansos’ stand as symbols for life, death and remembrance. 

These nondescript “Drive Safely” signs are shrines to not only express the loss of a loved one who died in a vehicular accident, but to draw our attention to the tragedy that has occurred.

I used to think that Drunk Drivers were the main cause of these accidents. But they only account for 15%, while distracted drivers and careless drivers are taking too many lives – In 2004 that was approx 30%.

In the early pioneer days, the American settlers used descansos to mark the sites where pioneers, killed in Indian ambushes, lost their lives in their journey. The descansos were created to remind people to pray for the deceased but also to warn future travelers about Indian ambushes.

In today’s secular society, there is a lot of controversy over these signs. And a lot of people are confronted by them. I don’t want that to continue. Yes, these descansos can be confrontational and a daily reminder of death. But what are they confronting us with? Our own mortality? Yes, life goes on, but there is still a strong need to mark the place where the loss occurred – mainly to let the public know – help them avoid experiencing such a tragedy.

“a man’s dying is more the survivor’s affair than his own”
- Thomas Mann

Mostly because these are tragic deaths, where the individual was yank out of this earth and was not allowed a natural death. This sign marks the very place where their journey in life was interrupted. The point where they crossed from light to shadow. The friends/family had this sign erected by the state as a private need to commemorate the actual place of loss. But also these signs are a public manifestation of life – a constant reminder for us – not to forget that the person commemorated, lived a life of significance.

- Only we did not get a chance to know them, yet!

For years I drove by this “Drive Safely” sign feeling drawn to it. Always wondering why the state placed these logo, but – sad to say – never taking the time to realize that a life was lost here. All I did was wonder what they were promoting – until one day.

I was drawn to a spot that had (4) markers. Why would the state place four of the same exact markers in the same spot? I had to pull over & when I approached them I saw the names of each individual on each marker, I broke down & cried. This was a family! A mother, father & two children. But the most impactful thing was that the markers were decorated with lots of flowers. Each had pictures and notes attached – which I dare not read – but whose unspoken words touched my soul.

Each spoke of a loved one left behind to put up flowers; to get the markers placed; to write about the loss of a loved one.

I can no longer just drive by these markers without
accepting that death’s door was opened here.

SO WHERE TO NOW?

Little did I know that, thru these Descansos, life was calling to me. Every fiber of these shrines talks of life. Life lost, but most importantly – lives lived; lives left behind. I need to celebrate life! To commemorate their life and to honor the life of their families left with this memory.

Human suffering happens, but does not need to be an enduring part of our live. It does not need to be the cross that we bear for life.

My mission is to aid in the healing…

Who I Am :

With 'Descansos.org : Tribute of Love', I am commited to assisting families who have experienced a loss due to a traffic accident.

My stand is for the loss to be forgiven - It may never be forgotten - but we can forgive! I am committed to reduce human suffering & to assist the healing of loved ones left behind to deal with the loss.

I live in the possibility that we can all endure whatever comes our way!

Hi, I am Pablo Solis. A designer, amateur photographer, artist and an avid writer. Please feel free to Contact Me!

Enjoy your weekend!