Agnostic.com

4 1

So I just had a friend die; one of the first to die of an "old age" related condition: heart attack. He was 62, a year older than me. I've had other friends die, but they died early: teenager in a head on collision with a drunk driver, college student in an accident on a foggy road, middle age (around 46) of lymphoma (family history), middle age (53, same age as me at the time) colon cancer. Or my father for that matter, who died at 50 from bladder cancer that spread to his liver (smoker: high rate of bladder cancer with smokers).

When I turned 60, I told people it's like crossing a line. If you die before that, it's "They died young, they were only " fill in the blank. But once you hit 60, you die and it's "Well, after all they were".

Anyway, I was looking at their Facebook page and saw the asinine "At least he's in a better place" line. I didn't comment on it, but that really pisses me off. I don't believe my friend was religious in any way. I don't think rotting in a pine box or having your cadaver burnt to a crisp is better than being alive with your friends and loved ones. Paraphrasing, I saw someone answer the question "Aren't you afraid of death?" with the line "Are you afraid of the year 1769? Because your existence after death will be the same as your existence was in the year 1769."

Just some thoughts running through my head.

Zippypinhead57 5 Sep 23
Share

Enjoy being online again!

Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.

Create your free account

4 comments

Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.

0

Hmmm, 1769. The eve of the American Revolution. I might have been a bit anxious.

0

The "He's in a better place" line is just a routine phrase used when offering condolences. Most people aren't sure what to say when referencing a death and feel awkward. I'm sure they meant well.

0

I am 54. There is emerging a big division of peers of similar age who, like me, look like older versions (slight greying, a hint of facial lines) of their college selves and those who look VERY old, grizzeled, cannot get around, some traveling with walkers or oxygen. It's unnerving because we are the same age!

I realize a significant component = genetic roulette, but, there is a marked correlation with the older looking ones having lived hard (we ALL partied, back in the day) for longer. ALL of my sibs (by birth and by marriage) are facing life ending health issues. It's heartbreaking.

I don't fear death as my kids are no longer dependent. I will likely welcome it if or when continued living becomes too painful.

Oh, and that 59 = dying too young, but 60 = had a good full life is sort of BS, to my way of thinking. I've known very old 45+ year olds and crazy youthful 70 somethings.

Zster Level 8 Sep 23, 2018
0

Last Sunday, one of my college boyfriends —who is a year younger than I am so he was 50 years old —died of a massive heart attack. Of course since we are friends on Facebook, I found out almost immediately. I’ve lost quite a few people to accidents and one classmate to heart attack but this is the first person that I dated who has died of something other than an accident. It’s a weird feeling.

Write Comment
You can include a link to this post in your posts and comments by including the text q:185229
Agnostic does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any content. Read full disclaimer.