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Skriven 2006-01-02 02:58:30 av FidoNews Robot (2:2/2.0)
Ärende: FidoNews 23:01 [03/07]: General Articles
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                        GENERAL ARTICLES
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                     Death. Let's talk about it.
                            By Frank Vest

 After my article submission last week about what I had been doing
during my absence from the Fidonews echo as well as the Fidonews
newsletter, I read a message from Björn Felten telling about the death
of his mother and father. Death touches all of us at some point. It
can be the loss of a pet, a loved one or our own demise, but death
*will* touch us at least once.

 It seems that many suffer from the fear of death. One can see this
when the subject is mentioned. The eyes darken or tear up and other
emotions move to the front line. Some will flee from the subject and
others will attack it or the person mentioning the subject. There are
all kinds of reactions.

 I have faced death two times that stand out in my mind. Once was a
thought of suicide over my divorce from my first wife. I held the
knife in my hand and pressed it to my chest. For some reason, I just
couldn't do it. Call me a coward or whatever, but I think I realized
that life was more important than her.

 The second time was when I asked the doctor if my cancer was
terminal. Believe me... there is nothing in the world like asking that
question and having your doctor look you in the eye and say "Yes" in a
calm but sincere voice. That one word will take your breath away, all
the color from you along with all your thoughts and just about
anything else you can think of.

 Yeah, death is a morbid subject. But why?? Why do we fear death? Most
cultures have some belief in an afterlife or some such and that life
is generally better than the current one. If this is believed by these
cultures, then why is death to be feared??

 Assuming that there is a heaven, paradise or other such place and
that it is a pleasant place where there is no suffering or death , why
would we not want to go there? It would seem that people should not
worry about being hit by a car, where their next meal is coming from,
if they will freeze to death this winter or anything else. So what if
we kill ourselves. Grab the knife and go to paradise.

NOTE!!: I'm NOT recommending that people commit suicide, starve, quit
working or any such thing! Kids, don't try this at home!!! or anywhere
else for that matter!!!!

 So why do we fear death? For me personally, I don't fear death. I
fear the suffering that is often associated with dying and death. I
think this is what many fear. The pain that goes along with the loss
of a loved one or the pain that comes with their own imminent death.
This pain can be physical, mental or both, but it is pain none the
less.

 I am told that my mother had a very easy death. My aunt stated that
she simply took a breath, released it and died. I was not there, but
it was a comfort to know that she did not suffer. So, for all of you,
I wish that you never have to face death. But knowing that you will, I
hope that any death you face is peaceful and without pain.

Regards,
Frank


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