i am afraid of death. cant get my mind around you guys not having me around :D

I plan on Wearing out before I Rust out, I just thought I would get longer wear..

While that IS true, one of my Brother Mason's is 96, sharp as a tack, currently writing a book on his poetry.. I know people half his age who aren't as sharp as him..

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I hope my death involves Salma Hayek explaining to the police that I died at the height of an 'intimate encounter'.

+1

I marvel daily at the good fortune I've had in my life. I came so, so close to stepping out in front of a Chevy while running a year or two ago. Makes me nauseous thinking about it still. That event truly gave me an even greater appreciation for my happy, healthy, wealthy life. I've considered every day since as a bonus. Amazing what almost checking out can do for your attitude!

If it were to end tomorrow, my only regret would be losing the opportunity to see what kind of person my daughter will become some day.

This place cracks me up sometimes :). I do not fear the inevitable..."Life's been good to me so far...." - JW. A longtime ex-g/f was a hospice nurse, and she occasionally told me stories of patients at the very end. I'm paraphrasing, but a common pattern was for her to see them in a "unconscious struggle"...as if "fighting it", and then a total peace comes over them prior to "passing over to the other side". The journey is the prize...not the "accumulated crap" that we all will leave behind...enjoy the journey...I know I have!

When I had my stroke, I remember telling the doctor that I was ok with dying and that I have had a good and satisfying life. He quickly told me how lucky I was as 80% of stroke victims don't die. They end up in nursing homes crapping in a diaper staring out the window if they are "lucky". Those words changed my life today and how I look at end of my time here.

Sorry for your loss Hugh.

I don't fear it because of what it will be like for me - I fear it because of what it will be like for those close to me who will remain and have to deal with it.

Seeing your friends, relatives and kids crying and upset is the worst sort of agony - and I know a lot about this lately given a few things that have been going on in my personal life.

I want others to be happy for my havin been here and getting to share time and experiences with them, not sad and distraught because that time ends.

Goodbyes suck. The big/final goodbye will probably suck worse for all the same reasons, some of which I (badly) describe above.

Do you regret not taking her, given what you say about the sad state in which she spent her last 10 years?

At some point you realize that you've had a good run and you're grateful for whatever time you've got left. . Kids are grown,, you've taught them everything you know.. and It's about the time left wether that's a day or 30 years..
Funny but I've observed when the oldest generation goes (and most of us are next),, they are ready,, no fear,, just exhausted....
remember it's not so much the age but the mileage:D:D