Inspirational Article -
Facing Death, Loss and Terminal Illness:
Optimally, Before You're Forced To

Death... It's the one topic that most of us tend to spend the better part of our lives endeavoring not to think about. Generally, we opt, consciously or otherwise, to steer clear of anything related to or dealing with death, dealing with grave sickness or terminal illness, bereavement, mourning, grieving, losing a loved one, dealing with loss, or, most especially, the concept of dying ourselves - until we are forced to... until the unavoidable circumstances of life brings death to our very doorsteps. Then, and only then, are we forced to deal with the reality of death... with the reality of mortality - for ourselves or on behalf of someone we know and love.

So while often times we spend the bulk of our lives avoiding, ignoring and, with every facet of our being, striving never to contemplate the reality of the undeniable universal truth -- the sand continues to fall through the hourglass of our lives... and the final grains grow ever more prominent.

Just the same, there we are simply living each day with little thought about, or preparation for, the inevitable pain, mourning and grieving for a loved one -- whether a mother, father, wife, husband, daughter, son, grandmother, grandfather, another loved one or friend... with little regard for the passing of time. Ignore, or attempt to run even, as much as we might the simple truth is we truly cannot hide. For one day, possibly when we are least expecting it, a loved one will be stricken with a terminal illness, a close friend will find his or her self dealing with the loss and bereavement that comes with death, and even we ourselves will eventually find ourselves face-to-face with the topic of dying.

So what should we do? Well, since simply ignoring the topic isn't the most beneficial approach… Perhaps, instead what we should do is begin to more openly acknowledge the reality of death. Perhaps we should begin to better appreciate that, for now at least, death happens to be the ultimate outcome of every life. And, as a result, grieving, terminal illness and surviving the loss of loved ones are inescapable pitfalls which, in this life, sooner or later, we all will encounter. Whether the loss, pain and heartache will occur is not the question. The question is when we do finally come face to face with the abrupt reality of death... how will we fare -- and what will our respective mindsets be?

Will the fear of losing, or the brutally harsh reality of having already lost, someone find us in the state of surprise, shock, denial, regret or even guilt? Or will having dealt, at least to some extent, with death find us more understanding and appreciative -- grateful for the time we were blessed enough to have... and fortunate enough to have been able to have spent that time in a way, and with the people, that fostered maximized happiness and fulfillment. When it's all said and done, this is the true question. Because, in the end, we will all see days when we will mourn and grieve loved ones lost to death. We will all one day be faced with the terminally ill mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, hot, uncle, brother, sister, son, daughter or treasured friend. We will all, eventually, one day, be forced to face the concept of our own mortality. The question is… how ready will we be? The question is…What kind of life will we have to look back on?

The reality is the answer to both… depends entirely on where we go from here.

 

D Anthony
Author - "The Nurse in the Delivery Room Slapped Me... Once"

 

 

See "The Nurse in the Delivery Room Slapped Me... Once" Excerpts... => Inspirational Excerpts from the Chapter, 'Eventually, Death Visits Us All' => Inspirational Excerpts from the Chapter, 'And Faith Ensues'

 

 

 

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