Posted on 08/10/2007 5:13:24 PM PDT by snugs
This weekend's topic may seem morbid and maybe not the topic for a summer weekend but we did touch this subject slightly last week.
Death has an impact on all our lives whether we are single or not however it can be more poignant to those who are on their own as they do not have the backup of a spouse to ease the pain and sense of loss. It can also make us feel even more alone and desperate for a partner if the death is that of a parent.
Do you fear death either your own or a close friend or family member?
Does death impact how you lead your life ?
If you though you only had a short time to live how would that affect you in various aspects of your life and would you be honest about it when meeting someone new.
What are your thoughts about an after life?
Do you think that death is an acceptable subject for a social discussion or is it on your ban list?
Do you feel awkward and not know how to deal with someone if they advise that they have a life threatening disease or even more so if they have been told they do not have long to live?
The above is only intended as opener to the subject please feel free to discuss any topic relating to the above or anything that you wish to this subject is only designed to get the discussion moving this weekend but does not mean it limits us to this subject.
I could go with that.
All of us sitting around the living room listening to dad read us a story.
My favorite was around Christmas when dad would read us, A Christmas Carol.
As characters would appear and reappear within the story he would change his voice to suit the role. "Marley was dead....Old Marley was dead as a door nail" he would begin.
Later his scariest voice would rattle out the sounds of Marley's tortured chain and the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present and Future. Deep and fearsome were the ghosts and spirits (which by everyones account were also trhe most fun to hear); but he reserved his most gentle and joyful voice for Tiny Tim.
Some of us heard only parts of the story as we fell asleep on the floor before the evening reading was complete.
Yes, I would not mind Heaven being inside a warm house, falling asleep on the floor with a gentle voice saying "God Bless us everyone."
Thank you. I have other reasons. I have four other sons. One of whom is the husband and father to the world’s best daughter in law and the world’s cutest grandtwins.
However, i just got news on the phone...Son3 has proposed to another wonderful young lady. Boy am i blessed in the daughter in law dept!!! Whew, my son’s have such good taste!
:o)
LOL, maybe, but I'm sure he's thinking "mommy, it's been an hour and I'm hungry...can Uncle Raider change my diaper?" :)
(At least he did when she was in town recently).
A Psalm of Life
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
‘Life that shall send
A challenge to its end,
And when it comes,
say, ‘Welcome, friend.’’
WHAT THE HEART OF THE YOUNG MAN SAID TO THE PSALMIST
I
Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.
II
Life is real! life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal:
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.
III
Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destin’d end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.
IV
Art is long, and time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.
V
In the world’s broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!
VI
Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act—act in the living Present!
Heart within, and God o’er head!
VII
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprint on the sands of time.
VIII
Footprints that, perhaps another,
Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwreck’d brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.
IX
Let us then be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.
Yes, thank you.
Most Christians believe that if you put your trust in Christ and ask for forgiveness for your sons through his death on the cross that you will go to be with him (what is commonly called heaven) upon your death.
Which I know and am comforted that my closest freeper friend GretchenM believed and was totally sure of. As much as I miss her I believe she is in a better place now.
May you also find position that gives you some comfort.
“The Dance”...that song is a classic.
whoops sons = sins
As nice a boy as he is, my son could use some foregiveness too. : )
Strangely enough, my thoughts about death are somewhat similar to yours. I live alone with half a dozen pet reptiles. If no one found me for a week, my crested gecko would likely starve. My snakes would be okay for about a week as long as their water didn't evaporate. They could go a month or more without food without being too uncomfortable, but they'd need water at least once a week at a minimum.
There's really no one who would come by my house enough to find me if the folks at work didn't raise an alarm. The folks at work would be curious if I didn't come to work and didn't call for a couple of days, but technically, no one in any kind of supervisory role is allowed to check. I'm sure that if I didn't show up for two days, someone would find some excuse to come by my house. The question is what they'd do if no one answered the door and there was no outward sign of a problem.
When I retire, I'm not sure how I'll handle this situation. I'd like to retire someday to a good amount of land so that I don't have people crowding me in my "golden years." I guess I'd try to make contact with someone in some group and get people in the habit of checking on me. I'd hate to think of my animals suffering after I'm gone.
Bill
He’s a cute kid.
Bill
That’s a cute kid, and I like the flower garden. It reminds me a little bit of my mom’s flowers back home in Tennessee.
Hi!
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