CARPE DIEM - SEIZE THE DAY!

DEATH
Finality or Infinity?

© - Tom Hyland - 8-01-08


DEATH - Just why does that word have such a negative connotation? Why do we tend to avoid it like the ‘plague?’ Is it not merely the completion of the life cycle? Why is it considered morbid? Is it simply Fear of the Unknown?

Let’s face it - no one WANTS to die! Everyone wants to avoid it with every fiber of their body - DENIAL - DENY DEATH. Go away! Not now! Not today! No way! Why me? Why him? Why her? Why now? Why indeed?

Let us consider some scenarios and circumstances. Age is always a major factor. When there is a Miscarriage, and an Embryo is lost, after experiencing the joy of being told a woman is pregnant, the would-be Mother is devastated! Depression and guilt usually prevail. Did she do something wrong? Was it her fault?

If, on the other hand, months and months of a normal pregnancy have occurred, and the Baby is stillborn, this is even more devastating. This mother has been careful and caring for a much longer period of time, and has usually bonded with her unborn child. She has felt it growing and kicking inside her womb. She has talked to it. She has sung songs to it. She may have even had a Sonogram, and known its sex - perhaps even named it. But for whatever unknown reason - it was not meant to be! Devastation - Hurt - Anger - Remorse - Doubt - Fear - all of these, and more, are suffered through by this devoted, willing mother - all to no avail.

Or maybe a child is Born - loved - hugged - caressed - nursed - bonding has truly occurred - and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome occurs - this beautiful, lovely, innocent Babe dies without warning!
My God - how do the parents deal with this awful premature death?

Alternatively, a little Boy or little Girl is killed in a freak accident. This is even more devastating because we have gotten to know them better and longer. If this same thing occurs at age 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 - as a Teenager, or a Young Adult in their Twenties - Thirties - Forties - Fifties - Sixties -
Whenever, it is ALWAYS TOO SOON!

We wonder - we question - we grieve - we cry - we suffer anguish - we have bouts of anger - we blame God - always human devastation, and we feel totally and miserably helpless. No matter how hard we try, we cannot prevent DEATH!

If the deceased was a military member, or a warrior, we make sure that a dignified funeral is held, with Pomp and Ceremony, perhaps Taps are played - maybe even a Gun Salute - a Flag is slowly and ceremoniously Folded, and given to the surviving family. WE PAY OUR RESPECTS! WE HONOR THEM!

In days of old, perhaps a Viking Funeral was performed, the body was set afloat on a boat, drifted out to sea, and then set ablaze. Or perhaps a Funeral Pyre was built and set aflame. If the deceased was an Elder, or Leader, or Chieftain - or any such prominent person, more Rituals may have been performed. In the case of the Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs, years and years of construction and labor occurred, in building a Pyramid. The preparation was more thought out, planned - more elaborate, Gifts were included in their tombs, and favorite belongings were added for their trip through The AFTER-LIFE!

Just think about one solitary fact - now - Five Thousand Years Later - we still practice the Art of Embalming, learned from those same ancient Egyptians. The attempt at Preservation of the Remains may have originally been based on religious or superstitious beliefs; but with advancements in Science and Technology, this process evolved further, in an attempt to prevent the spreading of disease, and further deaths, and epidemics - an act to protect the surviving population at large.

Morbidity? Mortality? Is DEATH the Ending of The Life Cycle of the Body - the Temple? Or could it be The Beginning of The New Life Cycle of The Soul - the initial step into INFINITY?

It is no secret that Millions, Trillions, perhaps Zillions of Dollars have been spent on this endeavor - education, training, guidance - all designed to prepare the existing Human to acknowledge that the Real Goal is none other than The HEREAFTER!

TO: EARN - BE WORTHY - REACH - MOUNT OLYMPUS - HEAVEN - EDEN - PARADISE - THE HAPPY HUNTING GROUNDS - UTOPIA!

Books, Bibles, Missals, Torahs, Korans, Catechisms, Pamphlets, Circulars - all Printed Matter - to Build a Following!

Church Services, Masses, Synagogue Services, Mosque Services, Assemblies, Synods, Ecumenical Councils, Conventions, Crusades, Prayer Meetings - all forms of Gathering in the Fold for Unity and a Common Purpose - WORSHIP!

Psalms, Anthems, Hymns, Litanies, Songs, Poems, the Ringing and Tolling of Bells - all auditory appeals to effect deep feelings of Adoration and Devotion!

Rosaries, Plenary Indulgences, Lighting of Candles, Tithing, Donations, Perpetual Mass Cards, Contributions, Prayer Beads, Ankhs, Crucifixes, Crosses, Taus, and More - all Symbols and Attempts to Solace the Individual and the Masses - in the name of Religion!

Beliefs - Credos - Tenets - Morals - Laws - Rules - THE TEN COMMANDMENTS - all forms of Control!

“There are only Two things that are definite - DEATH and TAXES!” Can I get a really, really BIG AMEN to that?

At this point in my little treatise, you may think I am being morbid, or negative, but consider the following possible Pearls of Wisdom:

I BELIEVE IN DEATH WITH DIGNITY!

Remember the scene in the movie, Soylent Green, where Edward G. Robinson is dressed in a flowing white garment, relaxing in front of a huge screen displaying the Wonders of Nature, with Beautiful Classical Music playing in the background - and he has been administered some lethal injection which is fast-acting, and will cause his demise in a pleasant, painless, ethereal atmosphere?

THAT WAS HIS CHOICE! THAT WAS HIS LEGAL DECISION!

The lyrics of Peggy Lee’s hit song come to mind -
“If That’s All There Is - then Let’s Keep Dancing …”

How can anyone, or any government, or any credo DENY such a dignified, pleasant departure from any individual?

When was the last time that you visited a Nursing, or Old Age Home? Looked into a Sea of Faces with Vacant Eyes, and Glassy, drug-induced Blank Stares? Many, if not most, are either in wheel chairs, or struggling along with walkers, either staring into space, or moving along at a snail’s pace, on an endless path, searching for Oblivion! Some are shaking their hands and arms uncontrollably,
and unceasingly mumbling incoherencies! IS THIS DIGNITY?

I deliver prescriptions - MEDS - SCRIPS - DRUGS - to such places, three days per week, week in and week out - and have been doing it for two years now. To me, these poor forgotten souls, many suffering with Dementia, or Alzheimer’s, are now the LOST, the FORGOTTEN, the UNANNOINTED MIRRORS OF OUR FUTURES! That bothers me!

Is there a FLIP SIDE to this morbid tale? The FREEDOM of the SOUL? Just floating along in the Space-Time Continuum, or perhaps returning to the Present in another Form, if you happen to believe in Reincarnation? Is there a SECOND TIME AROUND?

In closing, I must say that I am delighted with today’s current treatment of Funerals, as a CELEBRATION OF LIFE - the idea of surrounding the room with PICTURES of happier times, of remembering the good things from the past - the use of computers to play Slide-Shows and Music - some Laughter intermingled with the Tears - a conscious Blend of Sweet and Sour - for, after all is said and done -

What is LIFE - but a Prelude to DEATH - so enjoy and savor every nano-second that you have - for TOMORROW is not GUARANTEED!

“LIVE LIKE THERE IS NO TOMORROW!”

“Remember Man that thou art Dust, and unto Dust thou shalt return!”

P.S. - just so you know - I am in no way despondent - it just was a thought that I had to address - WHY?

Because most people don’t, or Won’t! Enough said?

Peace - TKH.