by BigTex » Wed 27 Feb 2008, 13:06:53
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('eastbay', 'T')here's an old story about a mustard seed many of you may have heard. The essence of the story is that there is no home untouched by death. With the possible exception of a few younger members here, all of us have experienced tragic and untimely death. There is no escaping it. All of us deal with it, most accepting it as part of the greater natural process and move on realizing they must not contribute to the sadness.
Talking about it with a trusted 'someone' is part of the healing process.
Some of you may remember the Charlie Pride song with the line "When I hear people say life is hard, I wonder, compared to what?"
Spend even a few minutes with death and you gain a whole new appreciation for life. My Dad was as full of life as anyone I have ever known and when he passed away I sat with him at home for the couple of hours it took the funeral home to come pick up his body. It's amazing how life animates flesh and how when that life leaves the flesh your affection for the person can sort of wander aimlessly. It's a vastly educational experience to go through that with someone you love, and obviously very sad. Among other emotions you feel, you feel protective of their remains, and for me I just had an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for all of the times he had protected me in countless ways. It was one of the most real experiences I've ever had.
There is no point in dwelling on death, but I think that there is a lot that can be learned from embracing it when you are forced to, and trying to take something useful, or maybe even inspiring, away from the experience, in addition to the obvious sadness and sense of loss.