The use of “selfish” often makes people angry, although all it means is “considering myself.” Another word for it is “human”! If we’re sad when someone close to us has died, it’s probably because we’re thinking of the loss to ourselves, rather than the gain to the one who no longer suffering and is with the Lord. It’s simply natural, and we feel it more strongly when the person was a big part of our lives, less strongly with someone who was very old and sick.
Thanks!
(CFIDS often makes it difficult for me to express myself properly, but you have very deftly done it for me, and you have my eternal gratitude!)
My wife and I were watching the news last night when the first reports came out. One of the reporters described Heston’s death as tragic—the wifey and I both looked at each other with the same thought—what’s tragic about an 85 year old man who’s led a long and rich, storied life, finally being relieved of his suffering?
While there is good reason to be sad at his passing, there is much more reason to be happy at the wonderful life he had. I pity people who don’t understand this.
Well put!