I learned about death early. Both of my parents fathers died when they were young. I learned through them.
I saw my first open casket funeral when I was less than 10 of a family member I had just saw not six months before
Miscarriages from my ex-spouse kept expanding my knowledge of death.
I have had the honor to be part of repatriations of our soldiers from places I won’t list here. Bringing their honored remains home in steel caskets. Some from older wars and some from current ones. I did everything I could to do my part to get them home to their families.
I have been a part of things where I should be dead but lived. (I still have work to do). This is another learning event.
Many of my friends have died young.
We have our time and when our time is done it will be over. Believing one could cheat death or thinking we can or should live forever is entitlement, neurotic, hubristic, and unnatural.
This topic made me think of...
Memorial Day is coming up. It is not a day to be grim and sad. It’s a day where we honor our dead for their sacrifice so we may live as a people. If that means tipping a horn of your favorite ale or visiting the “Tomb of the Unknowns” in reflection of their deeds. Honor their lives!
Death will always be a part of life. Life will always have death.
My parents did not shy away from taking my sister and me to the funeral home when we were small kids. As a result, I always understood the reality of death as part of human life.
I learned about death early. Both of my parents fathers died when they were young. I learned through them.
I saw my first open casket funeral when I was less than 10 of a family member I had just saw not six months before
Miscarriages from my ex-spouse kept expanding my knowledge of death.
I have had the honor to be part of repatriations of our soldiers from places I won’t list here. Bringing their honored remains home in steel caskets. Some from older wars and some from current ones. I did everything I could to do my part to get them home to their families.
I have been a part of things where I should be dead but lived. (I still have work to do). This is another learning event.
Many of my friends have died young.
We have our time and when our time is done it will be over. Believing one could cheat death or thinking we can or should live forever is entitlement, neurotic, hubristic, and unnatural.
This topic made me think of...
Memorial Day is coming up. It is not a day to be grim and sad. It’s a day where we honor our dead for their sacrifice so we may live as a people. If that means tipping a horn of your favorite ale or visiting the “Tomb of the Unknowns” in reflection of their deeds. Honor their lives!
Death will always be a part of life. Life will always have death.
Probably shared too much.
My parents did not shy away from taking my sister and me to the funeral home when we were small kids. As a result, I always understood the reality of death as part of human life.
Essential for faith...
Thank you Neighbor, what a wonderful piece.
So profoundly true and so beautifully written!
You are wise beyond your years, Spencer