"As our inner life grows ever more luminous, the chatter of the speed-and-greed world slowly fades, leaving us with greater peace, tranquility, quiet and contentment.” — Arthur Rosenfeld
Everything looks different. Those commercials for losing weight or cures for what seem like silly, non-threatening illnesses are just plain ridiculous. The worries of just about anybody else in the world seem so trivial. The subjects others write about seem trite and silly.
I pride myself in being realistic about my own death. I know none of us get out of this alive, and I have tried to get more comfortable with that fact. But when it becomes more real. When you look down at your body and seriously think about from dust to dust. When you stare over the abyss of nothingness, that’s enough to make just about anyone uncomfortable.
“What things would I give away? Would I want an obituary in the newspaper? How would my husband and dog handle it? (I’m pretty sure my cat would barely notice…) Should I tell friends and family now or wait? Who should I tell? People from my past? Who even cares?
Yes, I have had a couple close calls with death in my 61 years, but at the time I was either unconscious (bike accident, traumatic brain injury) or had absolutely no control over the situation (plane malfunction). In the plane over Tokyo Bay, my life did flash before me, but I was only 20. I didn’t have a lot to flash. I remember looking around myself and thinking, “Gee, I’m going to die with all these people I don’t even know.”
In the week or so after my cat scan and before I heard my lung nodules are not too scary, my life also flashed before me, but in slow motion. My conclusion is that I have led a difficult life, partially because of the choices I have made. I chose not to marry and have kids. I’ve spent most of my life on my own terms. It took a midlife crisis (at 49) for me to decide to try something different, trusting others.
All of the best experiences in my life have flown from that change, marriage to a loyal, loving partner, more security than I’ve ever known, a great puppy and a new rural lifestyle in an amazing solar home. I want more of these experiences before I die..
My hat is off to all cancer survivors more so than ever before. To my Mom and Jan and all of you who have stared a bad diagnosis, surgery, and death in the face and survived the trauma of it all. This is something you never forget. This is life.
I still am amazed at how quickly my doctors went from giving me my cancer diagnosis to making it clear to me that I was going to have to go through some stuff, but in the end everything was likely to be fine. And so far, that’s how it’s worked out!
The older I get, the more often these thoughts come to me, usually late at night, thinking about things that might happen. One thing that every septuagenarian must realize is that it doesn’t get better, it only changes from one situation to another. I’ve outlived both of my parents, and I know that, as Gilda Radner said so perfectly, “it’s always something.” I give thanks every day for good health and know that even so, I will not, as you say, get out of here alive. I’m so glad your lung nodules are not an imminent threat. I love your blog, and that picture! 🙂
Thanks for reading and commenting DJan 🙂 I’m still sick with a wicked case of bronchitis at present and also have those late night worry sessions. Looking forward to feeling well again!
Mortality is odd, although as you said, everyone dies, it is still hard to know what to do when the bottle points at you. I hope you have lots of experiences with your dolor home!!!
My time (other than a couple of lumps in my breasts that were quickly declared benign via ultrasound, and I don’t count those as true “scares”) for a life threatening diagnosis has not yet come. I hope I can face mine, if it comes, with the courage and outlook I have seen in others.
Hi Laura Lee! This is something I think all of us should read and consider on a regular basis. As you say, none of us will be getting out of here alive! So are we living the BEST life we can? Are we making choices that support the quality of our life every day, rather than the length? I too, like I think all of us, have faced some potentially devastating misfortunes. But like you, I’m just going to use them to make the most of any time I have left. Thank you for this excellent reminder. ~Kathy
Adventures of the NEW Old Farts 
Very glad to hear the lung nodules were not too scary.
To life!
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To life Linda!
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I still am amazed at how quickly my doctors went from giving me my cancer diagnosis to making it clear to me that I was going to have to go through some stuff, but in the end everything was likely to be fine. And so far, that’s how it’s worked out!
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It’s so good to hear that Bonnie! Sometimes doctors do tell the truth….
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The older I get, the more often these thoughts come to me, usually late at night, thinking about things that might happen. One thing that every septuagenarian must realize is that it doesn’t get better, it only changes from one situation to another. I’ve outlived both of my parents, and I know that, as Gilda Radner said so perfectly, “it’s always something.” I give thanks every day for good health and know that even so, I will not, as you say, get out of here alive. I’m so glad your lung nodules are not an imminent threat. I love your blog, and that picture! 🙂
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Thanks for reading and commenting DJan 🙂 I’m still sick with a wicked case of bronchitis at present and also have those late night worry sessions. Looking forward to feeling well again!
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Mortality is odd, although as you said, everyone dies, it is still hard to know what to do when the bottle points at you. I hope you have lots of experiences with your dolor home!!!
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My time (other than a couple of lumps in my breasts that were quickly declared benign via ultrasound, and I don’t count those as true “scares”) for a life threatening diagnosis has not yet come. I hope I can face mine, if it comes, with the courage and outlook I have seen in others.
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Yes Alana, I have regularly found benign breast lumps, never expecting the problem would be inside my chest…Surprise!
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Hi Laura Lee! This is something I think all of us should read and consider on a regular basis. As you say, none of us will be getting out of here alive! So are we living the BEST life we can? Are we making choices that support the quality of our life every day, rather than the length? I too, like I think all of us, have faced some potentially devastating misfortunes. But like you, I’m just going to use them to make the most of any time I have left. Thank you for this excellent reminder. ~Kathy
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Excellent point Kathy, quality not just quantity! It all just makes you think about why we’re here and what we really have any control over…
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