Death

If you're close to fifty or older you probably know many of the world's icons that have passed away in the last few years.  Sadly, you probably have a few friends and family that have died.  My Mom, Dad and Sister are all dead.  Some of the movie, music, theater and paint artists I grew up with have died.  Some of the most brilliant minds are dead. Neil Armstrong died the other day.

What this tells me is I'm almost surely going to die.  I'm leaving a little hope out there because who knows what science might come up with.  Remember, drug and healthcare companies really don't want people to die because the only people that make money on dead people are the undertakers and the mortuaries. 

The thing is, I'm going to live until November 11, 2038 (I'll be 94).  That means many of the people I know probably won't make it that long.  My heart will ache when they die. However,  I'm sorry to be so crass, but better them than I.  As I said in my previous blog, I'm going to ride this body until it doesn't work anymore.  On November 11, 2038 I'll be screaming "What A Ride."

The death of the people I know has got me thinking.  Do I fear death?  The answer for me is NO!  I do fear losing my mind.  My brain is my strength.  Using my brain makes me happy.  As long as my brain is functioning I can make a great life for myself.  My limbs are just the bumpers.  My brain is the engine and transmission.  My brain can still live a good life even if all my bumpers fall off.

Do I fear the people I know might die before me?  Again, sorry to be crass, but NO!  What happens to them isn't in my control.  What happens to them is not my fault.  I won't stop trying to get the most happiness I deserve out of life if they all die.  I wish them well and want them to be with me as long as possible, but what's it my business if they kick-off.

Will I take the best care of myself I can to make sure I make it to 2038 - ABSOLUTELY!  Drugs and vitamins are my friends.  Exercise makes me happy.  However, I like my booze and I love a great hamburger.  It makes me happy to do a few things that might risk my iffy back and neck (like dancing my ass off).  On the other hand, I'm not going down a ski slope, drive 100 MPH in a 50 MPH zone, jumping out of anything or doing the Limbo (if you don't know what the Limbo is, you're too young to think about death - read my other blogs).

The death of the people I know has made me realize a few other things.  Appreciate and love everyone you know.  Don't wait until they die to say nice things about them.  Say those things NOW!  What I mean by NOW is NOW - like today.  Think about what you want to say and say it the second they're in your presence.  Enjoy their company as if you know they're going to die sometime soon.  Tell them what's going on inside you.  Share your hopes, dreams and fears with them.  The more you expose yourself, the more they might expose themselves.

Even though I'm going to live until November 11, 2038, I am going to die.  Sooo, These have to be the best years of my life.  I have to find happiness in everything I do.  I don't have the luxury of taking anything for granted. I have to step back and appreciate my surroundings.  I have to appreciate every detail of my life.  I have to appreciate living.

What about YOU?  Do these icons, your friends or family dying make you depressed?  Do you fear your mortality?  Would you prefer to not outlive your kids, spouse, etc?  It's normal to say yes to those feelings.  The question is, what are you going to do about it?  

Worrying about death doesn't have to be a bad thing as long as you're using that fear to get closer to your friends and family, working to get all the happiness you deserve, doing what you can to live longer and: 

Appreciating The wonders of your life.