POLL: When you think about your own Death

Do you lose your breath, or do you keep your cool?
Would you like to see the Pope on the end of a rope, do you think he's a fool?

Really? What about that toll you have to pay the boatman?

I plan to live forever or die trying.

I'm a bucket lister. I would regularly ask myself what I'd be doing right now if I only had a year left to live, just to help me set my priorities. Fortunately or unfortunately, my bucket list is essentially finished now. There are a few items left, but I don't really care about them, and I'm pretty sure I'd just be bored. For now, I'm actually enjoying the simplicity, not constantly chasing after the next goal or adrenaline rush, and just sitting still and enjoying the moment. My life has always gone through phases, usually swinging from one extreme to the other. At this point, even if I died tomorrow, I'd have no regrets. I don't fear death. It's just the next phase of the journey.

I may make it happen, I don't fear it, my will needs to be updated since my mother passed away, and yes, I do have advance directives for end-of-life issues.

Everyone dies. Having been through cancer treatment, I may opt to end my own life rather than buy poor quality time. I have no heirs or life insurance policy, so whatever I end up with will go to a charity. My decision will affect no one but my self.

I saw my husband suffer for 18 months. He didn't end his own life because he had left an insurance policy for me that was void if he committed suicide, despite being terminally ill. I still feel guilty about that. Was his suffering worth it?

Why do people cling to life, no matter how miserable it becomes? My Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care understands and shares my view. It's my veterinarian, who has saved many of my companion pets if they had a chance of a meaningful recovery, and gently euthanized those that were suffering. Legally, he can't euthanize me, but he can make certain that my DNR and DNI are honored.

I expect death will be the same as not yet being born... nothingness.

I don't want to die, but it's not something I fear or dwell on.  It'll happen when it happens.  I do worry for those I will leave behind if it is an untimely death.  Of course at my age, I think I've past that point.