Was thinking the other day of the millions, the billions, of people who've died. Who've faced death in pain or with expectation of an afterlife or with fear that there's no afterlife. Some died never even knowing death was close, their lives snatched while they slept or through accident. Children die daily, never even wondering about death, never knowing there is something other than the breathing, moving, laughing everyday normal rhythm of their worlds.
So while I was thinking about death, the one unstoppable event that comes to each of us, I started to wonder.
Do we expect death to come to us? Do we really expect to die in 60 years or in 10 or in 3 months? Or in the hidden heart, do we believe we will be the ones to outpace death, the exception to this universal absolute? Do we have no true belief in death, so little care that we don't begin living until some dark shadow reminds us that it's all too real?
We hear of the man whose behavior changes when the doctor tells him, "It's cancer." Of the mother whose lifestyle is dropped after a close call. We see older men and women rushing into adventure with their enthusiasm naked for all to see. As if they've discovered a source of joy. As if their eyes have been opened.
As if they are suddenly aware that the shadow of death will one day soon overtake them.
So, now I'm curious. Do you live knowing that death is inescapable? Not a philosophical question here, but a practical one. Do you live as though today might be your last day on earth? And if you knew the date of your death--say, March 3rd, 2017--would you conduct yourself any differently than you do now? And since you do know that death will not overlook you, why would knowing the date make a difference, if indeed it does?
If you could know the date and time, would you want to?
Just wondering. . .
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Comments: 36
Second thought is yes, slowly the idea of being even better prepared is intriguing and alluring. There would be no loose ends.
Finally I realize that the moment is not important and the countdown to it would be a loss in the reality of the present while looking to the future.
My answer is- No.
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I do try to live my life, in such a way, so as to have few regrets. I do tend to look for the joys and beauty around me. But, of course, there are things I haven't had the chance to do; things I still want to do. In that, most of us are alike. We picture death far off and we have all the time in the world to get it done. I've had a few close calls and yes, that tends to wake you up to how short life really is. Distills the more important things.
I've always been taught that life is a gift to us. What we do with it, makes it a gift to God. I would like to hear, at the end of it all, "well done."
But, yeah--I'm looking forward to that well done as well. Won't that be awesome?
And every once in a while I think on what I could be doing, should be doing. Not in a sense of have to but rather, get to. Lots here for us--what are we waiting for?
Yet as far as the truly practical is concerned, I'm not really ready. My office is full of my personal records--scattered and in piles. If anyone wanted to know what bills had been paid or what I owed, they have a mess to dig through. And my car and bedroom are in the same messy state--am I ready for family members and perhaps strangers to go through my things?
That is, I'm ready at any time to go--but I'm not sure that I'm ready to leave.
Thanks for posting this to BEST ORIGINAL PHOTOS, ART AND WRITING FOR 2008
Deb & Marilyn, I agree. Go out and do and be and love. I find that I don't really do that all the time, however. I get caught up in the day-to-day habits. Some of that is part of living, but some is just stuff. I want to LIVE. And I want to enjoy others who are truly living. And those who aren't? I want to show them what life could be.
Oh, Julie, I want to know what's on the other side. I believe I know some. And I'm looking forward to it. But do I want to go today? No way. I also love my life here.
As for what comes after? I have no clue, but it's bound to be an adventure.
Larry, at 66 I expect you've got many years ahead. But I like the way you plan to not worry. Dying would definitely thwart any plans that others have to harm you. It rather keeps the power in your hands, doesn't it?
I think we walk through our days without giving it much thought, until something makes us think of death. Probably a good thing, too. Since this is life. We might as well live. But I do want to live well.
Crispin, Matt, June--I'm glad you guys chimed in. May you live well and long.
I know I am going to die, can I wrap my mind around it? No.
Do I fear death? No
Do I live each day like it's my last? No
I live life because I am alive, knowing I would die on a certain day would only stress me out...I like not knowing.
Pat, there was a movie 15-20 years ago that had a character whose species knew when they would die. If they cheated that death, they would die in some horribly awful way. I don't know which would be worse, the knowing when or the knowing how.
Ruth, I like your style. And you're so right about technology giving people ways to reach others that didn't exist not that many years ago. There is so much life out there. I want to try so much more of it! I haven't reached your years, but when I do, I hope to still be curious and ambitious and eager to face each day.
Kathy, I can't wrap my mind around it either. Sometimes it seems so simple. Other times it's such a mystery. But that so many people have done it stuns me. It's the one thing that everyone does and can't escape. That's rather mystical to me.
Pray for me,
Now until the hour of our death.
Now and the hour of my death will intersect when they intersect and I'll see my Mother and those I love and miss. Until then, I live each moment as if it was my last - no regrets, no ifs, or buts.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Love 'n Stuff, RHEY ... ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Life and Death
In Stealth unseen,
on swift sure wings it's flying;
for none does Death "ere wait.
We briefly live,
and all the while are dying;.
soon ends our Love or Hate.
Before and 'aft,
both longer than the living;
Life glows then fades away.
Hours ne'er return,
there is one chance for giving;
there is but one today.
For all Death comes,
to young as well as older;
Just when no one may know.
Alone the wise,
Joy warms the heart that's bolder;
and ever was it so.
Some say to wait,
be sure of what you're nearing;
when young you're rich in years.
Are they then Fools,
who rush to Love not fearing?
they shed the fewer tears!
In stealth, unseen,
Death closes every hour;
when will your Life be done?
Love now, love true,
and loving never cower;
through Love Life's Joy is won!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Rhey W. Hedges, December 23, 1961
I wouldn't want to live forever - not in THIS body.
Rhey, that's an awesome piece--and loving never cower. Excellent advice. Live and love. And don't let those moments pass you by.
Sukey, I find intriguing the idea of the dead writing memoirs. But then, I believe them to be busy with the next life, too busy to mess with us.
Lydia--I'm with you. Not fearful of what comes after this, but I don't want a painful death, either.
That from American Beauty is how I feel about life.
Yes, death will one day come for us all.
terry b.,