Does Anyone Think About Death?

Mitch86

Mitch86

Member
Location
Connecticut, USA
We are all Seniors here and the one unique characteristic of everyone old is that we think of death more than the young folks. A much higher percentage of those over age 80 than those younger than 40 start to think of death a lot. The reason is that older folks die sooner than young folks.

What about you? Do you ever think of death?
 

Emily Dickinson called Immortality the "Flood subject". When she lived on Pleasant st. in Amherst, her bedroom window overlooked her future burial site, West Cemetery, where she saw funeral after funeral.

Her writing from the perspective of the dead, is even more powerful than writing of her perspective of the living.

My health is poor also Mitch. Such is a detriment to life, even to the point of giving up. I struggle on, but my will is always weak.
 

I'm 81. I have stage 4 prostate cancer. Plus I have bad vision due to macular degeneration. I'm also mobility impaired due to being a lifelong AK amputee. A lot of my friends and loved ones are dying off, especially ones in my cancer support groups. Do I think about death? Of course! I'm in the check out line. How could I not? But the key is what do I do with the life I have left? Sit around and mope? I think not. Meanwhile here is a YouTube video I just made. Hope you enjoy it!
 
I was diagnosed 3 months ago with bladder cancer. I am being reminded daily that something isn't quite right but it's not enough to hurt so I enjoy every day I've been given (except for the heat! LOL)! I never asked "how long have I got". I simply put death on the back burner because at eighty-seven, with cancer, it's a certainty that'll it will come for me sooner rather than later. Death doesn't bother me, but I must confess that I am sometimes concerned about the way I'll die!
 
This is not my story to tell, however my late husband in his early 70's dx'ed with stage 4 cancer which metastasized from lung to brain, he knew his life on this Earth was pretty much over. However, a day when he passed away, his agonizing, facial expression was telling DEFINITELY not die, clinging on his last breath that I never forget.

Then, we, all are seniors not much life left on this Earth, unlike our own grown children, younger and in good health. we ultimately NOT want to die even much older, like over at age 90, although the life in general is 'ups and downs,' ... but there is 'fun and joy' to continue to live as happily as possible.
 
I went to a funeral a few years ago, only to support a dear friend. This friend's partner treated him and his sister so badly, taking their pensions off them and making rules in the house. He was a horrible person and because my friend was a little backward, he just did as he was told. At the funeral the priest asked if someone would like to have some kind words about the deceased, not one person stood up. Say No More.
 
Amanda76 said:
This is not my story to tell, however my late husband in his early 70's dx'ed with stage 4 cancer which metastasized from lung to brain, he knew his life on this Earth was pretty much over. However, a day when he passed away, his agonizing, facial expression was telling DEFINITELY not die, clinging on his last breath that I never forget.

Then, we, all are seniors not much life left on this Earth, unlike our own grown children, younger and in good health. we ultimately NOT want to die even much older, like over at age 90, although the life in general is 'ups and downs,' ... but there is 'fun and joy' to continue to live as happily as possible.
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That is very sad to hear! But I don't think that will be the case with me. For me its all about quality of life. Once the quality has deteriorated to such a dismal point I would not want to keep on living and keep being a burden to others. Facing the circumstances you describe with your late husband I would definitely be in hospice with palliative care and a 'kit'. Fortunately I live in California, a 'right to die' state.
 
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sch404 said:
Do I think about death? Of course! I'm in the check out line. How could I not? But the key is what do I do with the life I have left? Sit around and mope? I think not.
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Oh, I could just hug you, @sch404 ... 🤗 thank you for saying what I wanted to say and didn't quite know how to word it without offending the poster. I'm sure everyone "thinks of it" sometimes, but to some, I've noticed, it seems to be an obsession. That in turn wastes the time that's left.
 
As you get older, of course you think of it more. When younger, the thought may scare the hell out of you at times. But as you get older, it doesn't seem scary at all. In fact, you come to realize that it's just a part of life. You also are grateful that you made it through all of the "minefields of life" (crime, disease, war, accidents etc.), and that you have made it this long, while others in your family or friends, are long gone.
Believing in an afterlife, it's also satisfying to know that sometime in the not so distant future, you'll have a reunion of sorts with all of your friends and family that have passed on.
 
I think about leaving my life and escaping from psychological pain. I had a short run of accomplishment between 2008-2021, not any chance of productivity in education or employment now because of health and age limitations, so I wait to exit naturally. I wish laws in our society did not view death as some kind of cosmic sin against god, of which makes no sense at all because there is no heaven or hell as described in the bible.

I don't know what happens if anything happens at all when I die, but I'm not going concern myself with making last minute amends to ensure my place among the holy. Because I am not part of that crowd of people. It seems I am not part of any crowd except for this friendly folks on this forum.
 
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"Warning", a poem by Jenny Joseph.

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we’ve no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I’m tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people’s gardens
And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practise a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.
 
sch404 said:
I'm 81. I have stage 4 prostate cancer. Plus I have bad vision due to macular degeneration. I'm also mobility impaired due to being a lifelong AK amputee. A lot of my friends and loved ones are dying off, especially ones in my cancer support groups. Do I think about death? Of course! I'm in the check out line. How could I not? But the key is what do I do with the life I have left? Sit around and mope? I think not. Meanwhile here is a YouTube video I just made. Hope you enjoy it!
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OUTSTANDING video, 404 lol thx for the very very good chuckle !!
 
sch404 said:
That is very sad to hear! But I don't think that will be the case with me. For me its all about quality of life. Once the quality has deteriorated to such a dismal point I would not want to keep on living and keep being a burden to others. Facing the circumstances you describe with your late husband I would definitely be in hospice with palliative care and a 'kit'. Fortunately I live in California, a 'right to die' state.
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Actually, my late husband had the reputable Hospice with palliative care,' however he preferred me, his wife with many years to care for him over the professional care. I took him all of his drs. appointments, daily feedings, because his large colon got perforated due to the surgery of brain-cancer/large tumor removal so I did 'colostomy' all other his private necessities for which I'm glad to assist to his end. The cause of colon perforation was a long-hours' surgery with a large amount of anesthesia. Afterwards, he was required to use wheelchair on which I assisted in and out of the house.
My late husband is a genteel man, but he is also competitive to climb onto the higher ladder on his job of which I'm very proud, even I needed to accomodate to his success and needs.
The reason my late husband resisted to his imminent death was mainly in his early 70's which most of his friends are in good health. In his mind, he might have thought of his early '70's death is 'failure,' rather 'fate' (two different cancers) going to die. His mother had the aggressive breast cancer in her early 50's but survived into her 80's.
I keep his room with a bunch of awards received over the years and a lot of flowers to honor his life.
 
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sch404 said:
I'm 81. I have stage 4 prostate cancer. Plus I have bad vision due to macular degeneration. I'm also mobility impaired due to being a lifelong AK amputee. A lot of my friends and loved ones are dying off, especially ones in my cancer support groups. Do I think about death? Of course! I'm in the check out line. How could I not? But the key is what do I do with the life I have left? Sit around and mope? I think not. Meanwhile here is a YouTube video I just made. Hope you enjoy it!
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Loved your video, @sch404 ! Keep up the good work. Thanks for sharing!
 
Mitch86 said:
We are all Seniors here and the one unique characteristic of everyone old is that we think of death more than the young folks. A much higher percentage of those over age 80 than those younger than 40 start to think of death a lot. The reason is that older folks die sooner than young folks.

What about you? Do you ever think of death?
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I am reminded of death almost every day (news, family, friends, etc.) But for me, I don't think of it as a bad thing, but a necessary part of living. I also don't want to be a burden to anyone when I go. Am thinking seriously of doing a prearranged funeral so all is set when it's my time.
 
I don't think about death very often. I do not fear dying as I figure only one of two possibilities exist for when you die.

1. Nothing happens, you are dead, and you don't know it. You might have known you were dying, and you might have suffered long, but when you actually die, you are just gone. This is nothing to fear, because you will know it!

2. If our sole does live after our body dies, I am a Christian and I have accepted him as my savior. Therefore, I will be in heaven....

What's to fear? Of course, I do fear the possibility of a slow painful death, but I do not fear dying!
 

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