Yesterday, I went to the seashore with three feminine buddies.
We ate cheese…
…and swam within the warmer-than-expected water.
We broke in our summer season sandals…
…and slept in beds with NINE PILLOWS EACH.
And, over rosé within the night, the dialog drifted to life and loss of life.
“My six-year-old retains asking me what occurs when individuals die,” stated my good friend Alison. “So, I advised him, ‘It’s one thing that each human has to do, it’s a part of being alive. Folks imagine various things about what occurs afterward, and I strongly imagine that there’s goodness and peace. You don’t must be scared as a result of Opa might be on the opposite facet ready for you, and I’ll be there, too, ready for you. You don’t ever must do it alone.’”
How heartbreakingly pretty is that? Apparently her speech was comforting as a result of throughout dinner with their neighbors a number of days later, her son stood up and made an announcement: “I’ve been actually scared about dying,” he stated, “However then I talked to my mother and she or he made me really enthusiastic about dying.”
Rating!!! Haha.
Did you ever learn Rob Delaney’s lovely memoir about his late son, Henry? He imagined them reuniting after loss of life: “There isn’t a bodily paradise the place he’s ready for me, and for that I’m glad. I’ve to think about that might get boring after a few centuries, for him, for me. For you. Somewhat, I believe I’m a glass of water, and after I die, the contents of my glass might be poured into the identical huge ocean that Henry’s glass was poured into, and we’ll mingle collectively endlessly. We received’t know who’s who. And also you’ll get poured in there someday, too.”
This previous weekend, my sister and I noticed the Chekhov play Uncle Vanya. The script was usually humorous, they usually made it RAIN on stage. However general the play was bleak — the takeaway gave the impression to be “life is struggling and then you definitely die” — and the ultimate phrases by the niece Sonya had been darrrrrkkkk. “What can we do? We should dwell our lives. Sure, we will dwell, Uncle Vanya. We will dwell by means of the lengthy procession of days earlier than us, and thru the lengthy evenings; we will patiently bear the trials that destiny imposes on us; we will work for others with out relaxation, each now and once we are outdated; and when our final hour comes we will meet it humbly, and there, past the grave, we will say that now we have suffered and wept, that our life was bitter, and God could have pity on us. Ah, then expensive, expensive Uncle, you and I shall see that shiny and exquisite life; we will rejoice and look again upon our sorrow right here; a young smile — and — we will relaxation.” The catch is that she doesn’t sound satisfied by her speech. She then provides, wearily, “I’ve religion, Uncle, fervent, passionate religion.” However does she? Should she?
On a sweeter observe, throughout my grandmother’s funeral final yr, the English vicar advised us that she had now joined my grandfather “within the church yard, or wherever they’re inside the nice thriller.” I cherished that wording. The nice thriller, certainly!
So, I’m questioning, what do you suppose occurs once we die? Something? Nothing? How does faith or tradition inform your beliefs, if in any respect? I’d love to listen to your views, should you’re up for sharing.
P.S. The right way to write a condolence observe, and after I turned 40 and had a tiny little loss of life freakout.
