Saturday, October 20, 2012
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Why are we so afraid of death and dying well?
Why are we so afraid of talking about dying? Most fathers and expectant mothers before and after a baby's arrival get all sorts of advice. Shouldn't the end of someone's life be treated with the same respect and openness, medically and mentally?
As I near 50, my family constellation has become populated with fading family members. My mother and an aunt died of cancer, my father is sinking into dementia as his physical condition declines and three aunts are battling various ailments such as brain cancer, Alzheimer's and a failing heart.
With all this death circling, and getting a close view of my mother's, I've paid closer attention to how I want the end of my life to be. Instead of fearing it or ignoring the inevitability, I'm joyously embracing discussions of when the Grim Ripper arrives. (Hopefully, she will blame the canned salmon.)
As I near 50, my family constellation has become populated with fading family members. My mother and an aunt died of cancer, my father is sinking into dementia as his physical condition declines and three aunts are battling various ailments such as brain cancer, Alzheimer's and a failing heart.
With all this death circling, and getting a close view of my mother's, I've paid closer attention to how I want the end of my life to be. Instead of fearing it or ignoring the inevitability, I'm joyously embracing discussions of when the Grim Ripper arrives. (Hopefully, she will blame the canned salmon.)
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