Chapter 9.8 Death …

Death

“Don’t let it end like this. Tell them I said something.

 

Pancho Villa’s last words (1877-1923)

Mexican Revolutionary General

I do not fear death (this is easy to say since I’m not looking it in the eye right now…) Man spends a lot of energy running from death … our egos greatest fear of all.  Since so many people see their life as a one time chance, and extremely important, the goal is to make it last as long as possible.  I guess if one does not believe in an afterlife or an ongoing spirit, it all comes down to getting the most out of this life while you are here.  When they’re gone, I guess the rest is darkness … poof … kind of a void at the end, unfulfilling, though certainly, a finality.

“Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die.”

Joe Louis,    Heavyweight Boxer

Man’s survival instinct is strong.  And with modern medicine, we have become more astute in keeping the body alive, even when the spirit may be ready to move on. With respirators and radiation, chemotherapy and painkillers, we can keep the body functioning and the person breathing for quite awhile.  Yes, we are curing many people, and many do get a second chance …perhaps a realization opportunity to change their approach to life and to make some amends.

“Last year, Medicare paid $50 billion just for doctor and hospital bills during the last two months of patients’ lives – that’s more than the budget of the Department of Homeland Security or the Department of Education.”

60 Minutes segment, November 21, 2009

Often, of course, death is not predictable, but in many cases, the possibilities are scant, a chance of living quality life is minimal.  My mother uses a saying from her mother’s generation (turn of the century):

“Pneumonia is an old person’s best friend.”

It seems that the body senses that there is something seriously wrong, and it attempts to fill the lungs with fluid to let the person go without having to endure more significant pain. It is interesting that more and more people (and their loved ones) are evaluating the chances of survival and allowing the use of hospice care, to allow a person to die more gently.   Often the person fades away, refusing to eat adequate nourishment, allowing the body to shut down.

“I am not afraid of death, I just don’t want to be there when it happens.”

 

Woody Allen,     Actor, Director, Author

Heaven is viewed by the followers of various religions as a material  destination place, as if it will be the same as earth, only without any of their negative factors.  Their Heaven will reward them with multiple virgins, or mansions in the sky, or dancing with the angels on Cloud 9.  These views just don’t fit my look of Heaven at all.  Our material desires and sensual pleasures are earth things.  These issues are ours to enjoy while on earth, in balance and moderation.

“Now comes the mystery.”

Henry Ward Beecher (1813 –1887),   American Clergyman’s dying words

 

There have been many accounts of near death experiences, the white tunnel of light, an out of body experience, a sense of peace and unconditional love, a knowledge of the universe. Most scientists consider these experiences as hallucinatory, while the spiritualists argue that this is confirmation that there is something after Earth. Pick your own side … poof nothing or wow something. It is totally your call.

Ultimately, for all of us, death is the great equalizer for our bodies. It’s part of life you just can’t skip.

“The most unfair thing about life is the way it ends. I mean, life is tough. It takes up a lot of your time. What do you get at the end of it? A Death! What’s that, a bonus? I think the life cycle is all backwards. You should die first, get it out of the way. Then you live in an old age home. You get kicked out when you’re too young, you get a gold watch, you go to work. You work forty years until you’re young enough to enjoy your retirement. You do drugs, alcohol, you party, you get ready for high school. You go to grade school, you become a kid, you play, you have no responsibilities, you become a little baby, you go back into the womb, you spend your last nine months floating … and you finish off as an orgasm”

George Carlin (1937 – 2008),   Comedian

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Seems like a good place to end … for now.

We started on December 20, 2008 …….

Thanks for sharing my ride.

*****

BE POSITIVE,

so you can MAKE POSITIVE,

then be generous &  SHARE THE POSITIVE.

CLIMB TO THE TOP OF MY PLATEAU …. So Sweeeet!!