All I can say is... every generation has to face this... one of the many down-sides of living a long life... but I think one of the lessons of being left behind is, indeed, to be grateful for who you still see around you... and also to get your own heart ready to face death when it's your turn.

"Do not go gentle into that good night" is a wonderful poem... but as a philosophy, it's crap! I do hope that when I pass on, I am ready to pass on. I don't want to be in a position where I'm fighting it. I want it to be a peaceful transition, something beautiful even. Something that those who love me can remember and take comfort in, that I was ready, and I went when I was called.

Not that I was glad to leave my loved ones, but that I knew it would only be a temporary separation... that I would still be there, literally, in spirit. That's what I want out of death.

I don't know how etierh of my parents faced death and dying, because I was disowned several years ago. But I do remember years and years before, neither of my parents would allow or could stand for other people to cry around them. Most certainly they would not allow their own children to weep. We all went around pretending nothing was wrong, and walking on eggshells anyway, and when someone would die, it was just that much worse. Very strange. My own feelings are very different from my parents' and I really, really hope that my behavior will be, too.

Love,
Lil