SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023 - THAT’S A SHOCK

 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023 - THAT’S A SHOCK

Over the years, I’ve read things, listened to things, and learned things.  “Learning is intrinsic”.  (That is, I like to learn).  Learning doesn’t stop - I do learn something every day.  

So, on this next-to-last day of 2023, I read this.

The following is from a Podcast I sometimes hear.  It is from Dan Miller’s podcast “48 Days To The Work And Life You Love.” 

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“After 17 years, this is my last podcast:

I want you to hear this from me rather than through the grapevine because you are part of my legacy.

I've always encouraged people, as you know, to ask, "What does this make possible?"  Well, three weeks ago, I thought I was an extraordinarily healthy 76-year-old guy. I eat a clean diet. I don't smoke. I don't drink. I exercise five times a week.

On December 7, 2023, the doctors discovered I have very advanced pancreatic cancer that had already spread into my liver and into my bones and told me the prognosis is not good at all.

This gives me a unique opportunity to live out the principles I have taught all these years. Think about the way that I present life and how to approach things that are unexpected and unwelcome. I tell you to "never let your circumstances determine your attitude." I'm getting an opportunity now to test that out. Did I really believe those things, or was I just giving lip service to some kind of principles that I read in a book somewhere?”

Joanne and I have lived the life we loved for 55 years together. And we've loved having the opportunity to inspire others to do the same. We have lived our dreams. I don't have a bucket list of things I've not done. Anything Joanne and I wanted to do, we've done.

I've loved creating new adventures, and now I'm anticipating an incredible spiritual transformation.”

<End of quote>

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As a 76-year-old human being, there is a certain relationship with all other 76-year-olds on this planet.  We were born after World War II, grew up in the Cold War, and experienced television, computing, and a myriad of new technologies.  We’ve found love (and hate) and learned to be positive and grow.

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With Dan Miller’s announcement comes the understanding that we all will die.  Yes, we already knew that - but in three weeks, Dan let that realization sink in.

In the past month, I’ve been with a friend who has been told that she is dying. (She just turned. 78 two days ago).  I sat with her as a hospice representative signed her up for final days of care. 

Two weeks ago, I was with a hospice lady from 8:00 pm to 8:00 am.  

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So, how do I prepare for death?

Death is an “event”.  In most cases, there will be a funeral. There will need to be a will.  There should be a person who has a power of attorney. You should organize your finances.  How about an advanced directive? 

You can donate your body to an academic institution.  (I am),  Future medical doctors need hands-on time with “real” body parts (not just simulations and pig bodies). 

To me, the most significant part of preparing for death is the mental preparation.  As a person with a Judeo-Christian viewpoint, I believe in something happening after death.  I don’t know what will happen - I have no control over that.  (Kind of like my birth - I had little control over that!!!) 

Let me not be so flippant to be shouting, “Yeehaw - I’m going to die!!!!” But it is a form of “graduation” - I will graduate from this life into <something>.  “So be it!!”

Can I remain optimistic when the pain gets to be too strong from me?  Can I keep a good attitude in my head when there is only one path left?  Writing now, I’ll tell you, “I’m going to be positive and upbeat until my heart beats no more,” - but the reality is that I probably won’t be that pretty positive.  Even my first-century Jewish philosopher said, “My God, why have you abandoned me?” 

I hope I can say (with enthusiasm), “I’m on my way to new experiences, new frontiers, and new things to learn.” 

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I remember a clergyman who often added, “And we pray for those who will die today, especially those who will die alone.”  

LOVE WILL WIN - LOVE IS GOD’S WAY

LOVE WILL TRANSFORM ME - I DON’T KNOW HOW - BUT MY BODY, MIND, SPIRIT WILL BE CHANGED

UNTIL THAT DAY, I NEED TO BE READY FOR THE PRONOUNCEMENT OF CANCER, FOR THE CAR CRASH, FOR THE SLOW LINGERING TIME OF DEATH

UNTIL THAT DAY, I NEED TO KEEP THE “LIGHT ON”

KAREN ANNE WHITE, ©, DECEMBER 30, 2023