Or rather, we should make it a point to die the way we live.
No one likes to talk about death. I know I don’t.
No one plans to die. We all know it will happen. We hope it’s later rather than sooner. But no matter when it is, a good death is as important as a good life.
If we live a fearful life, we’ll die in fear. But we don’t have to.
All of the things that were important to us in life: loved ones, music, flowers, conversation, good food–most of those things can be part of a good death, too.
I always wondered why we fear death so much–why we don’t celebrate it. Because death is not the end-it’s just a transition. And most people believe that–even if the exact “place” they believe we go differs.
The other day I was thinking about someone I knew who took her life last fall and how she must be lighting up the afterlife with her smile. And then I took inventory of the people I know on the other side: My favorite aunt and uncle. My parents and grandparents. My dogs and cats. And a favorite professor, not to mention my favorite high school teacher. Yes, the afterlife must be a pretty lively place these days!
Like so many others, the idea of death does freak me out. It’s an unknown, after all. But I’m going to try my best look at it the way Dr. Wayne Dyer did: as the next great adventure in life.
I think death used play a larger role in everyday lives in previous times. It used to be that the viewing would take place in the family’s parlor room. Now, it seems as if we have hidden death away from everyday life. We put sick people in hospitals and old people in special homes. Perhaps there is a more humane way to care for our sick and elderly so that they remain part of everyday life and then death would also be part of that.
I think you are very right .
I try not to think about death either yet as I get older and people I know and love are dying I am forced to think about it more. It’s tough.
We don’t see a lot of dying up close and personal. Even when it’s a “good” death meaning a long life, going peacefully… there is sadness. This is a very thought-provoking post. Thank you for provoking my thoughts!
Thanks for adding to the conversation…!