Do you fear death?

As I grow older I am facing the same thing that has always plagued mankind: the specter of my own mortality.  It comes naturally.  As my children scamper around my feet, I wonder about their futures.  I look into my wife’s eyes and bathe in the warmth of a good woman’s love.  I realize that some of my ambitions for myself will never be realized, but am thankful for the blessings that I receive every day.  And I realize that I will follow the path of every man who has walked this earth before me. 

I will die. 

It’s really only a matter of when and how.  We all hope to live to old age and die painlessly, but we all realize that our death could come soon and painfully.  And we all fear the long lingering death of a protracted illness.  Few people get the privilege to choose the time and manner of their own demise. 

In a previous post, I stated that I am ready to die, and I am.  But that doesn’t answer the question of whether or not I fear death.  In that post, Jim said:

So, for me it’s not about regret. It’s about what I’d miss.

I’d have to agree.  I do not fear death, but I think about the things I’ll miss. 

I am well insured and know that my family will be taken care of should I die.  I know that my Lord will welcome me into eternity despite my multitude of failures.  I accept that my death may be painful, but know that pain is merely another reminder of mortality as eternity awaits.  But I don’t want to miss anything.  I don’t want to miss giving away my three daughters at their weddings.  I don’t want to miss watching my son become a man.  I don’t want to miss my grandchildren’s lives.  I don’t want to miss watching my darling wife grow grey and sharing with her the deep love and wisdom that only years can bring. 

I don’t want to miss anything, but I have no choice. 

Reality dictates that no matter when I assume room temperature, I will miss something.  I will miss a lot.  Reconciling that is more difficult than the prospect of death. 

1. Ray Kurzweil thinks you might live forever.

   Posted by jesusisjustalrightwithme on February 23, 2008 at 1756 hrs




2. Why fear the inevitable I say.  Besides those near-death stories seem quite interesting to me.  Not interesting enough to expedite mine though.

   Posted by on February 23, 2008 at 1853 hrs




3. I don’t think I’ll miss anything when I’m dead.  I hope I get to grow old and watch the kids grow old and their kids grow old (what can I say, I want to live a long time).  But I think that when we die, we won’t care about this world anymore, and when we meet again, we’ll just know as if we were there. I believe that the the time we are apart is merely a moment in the span of eternity.  That’s what I’m going with, anyway.

   Posted by on February 23, 2008 at 2319 hrs




4. I am terrified of dying but I don’t know why. In many ways, it would be a release from a lot of problems and would affect no one but myself. I don’t think there is anything you can do to get ready for it either.

   Posted by pdigaudio on February 23, 2008 at 2328 hrs




5. And thus is our eternal struggle.
   Before the atheistic trogolydites arrive let me say this;
   You make your way in life as to please the lord. You doubt the lord as a compannion because life is hard, and no way would a kind lord test you this way. Why do I have to make impossible decisions? Why do beautiful people die young? The definition of WHY is not attainable. We, as humans, have been given the gift of reason. That reason leads to doubt and questioning. This is what you feel now.
   Have I done well, Have I done enough, Have I been GOOD.
   Only you know, in your heart and soul if you have become the complete Man you should be.

   Finally, don’t put forth these thoughts into the public domain. Wendy responded well.
   Not every thought should be fodder for public consumption.

   Posted by on February 24, 2008 at 0437 hrs




6. There is the other alternative.  A real one.  Live today fully.

   How often I hear (we all do) “I wish it were the weekend”, or “I can’t wait until....”

   Too many of us wish our lives away and fail to live in the moment.  The future is unknown and long spaces of time thinking about it will not alter it. 

   I feel sorry for people who spend countless hours at the office trying to climb “the ladder” as I know at the last hour they will not wish they had spent more time there, but instead will wish for more time spent with their partner, traveling, and laughing.

   We often spend too much time on focused on the wrong things....and loose the sight of what it important.

   Posted by Gregory on February 24, 2008 at 0845 hrs




7. My 15-year-old daughter and I had a similar conversation a couple of days ago. We agreed it would be inconvenient, but death is inevitable.

   I’m going to be blunt here, Owen. Is there a reason you are having mortality therapy sessions on weekend evenings?

   Posted by Cindy on February 24, 2008 at 0855 hrs




8. Hmmm im not one to fear death because im quite confident that i would die a happy person. However, I do fear for those I leave behind. I guess that would be the only cause of my uneasiness - the fact that i would not be able to take care of my loved ones.

   Posted by Ajit on February 24, 2008 at 1005 hrs




9. Wow Chedhead.  Such a bigot.

   Also, how can you state that the definition of “why” is not attainable and try to say that you know that definition in the same paragraph? You’re nuts, that’s why.

   Posted by jesusisjustalrightwithme on February 24, 2008 at 1140 hrs




10. Is there a reason you are having mortality therapy sessions on weekend evenings?

    Actually, if you must know the inspiration of this post… I watched the 3rd Pirates of the Caribbean movie last week (the weakest of the three IMHO).  I saw a commercial for it and remembered how Davy Jones asked sailors, “Do You Fear Death TA?” After musing about Davy Jones’ pronunciation, I got around to thinking about the question itself.  And so it goes…

    Posted by Owen on February 24, 2008 at 1226 hrs




11. "Do you fear death, TA?”

    Well that explains a lot. Glad to know.

    Posted by Cindy on February 24, 2008 at 1600 hrs