How may of us are preparing to die alone?

[Captain O]

Both my sisters are gone (one hit by a car, the other a meth overdose a year ago), and both my parents. I've got no one on my side of the family left other than nieces and nephews.

I tell everyone "I'm the last of the Mohicans".

As I get older I think more about my expiration date. Whether I'm alone or with others isn't the biggest issue for me, I just hope I can face it without embarrassing myself. And I hope someone is there to take care of my dogs. Seriously, I think about that a lot.

Being born and dying is something we all do. It's the time in the middle that counts.

Welcome to my world.

 

[Vendor Hidden]

Welcome to my world.

It sucks. But I never signed a contract promising me a perfect life, so I've got no reason to complain.

On the plus side, I'm now the elder statesmen of all the kin, which means I get to tell the young-uns all the great true stories about their family, and mix in a few fake stories, too. They can never tell the difference.

 

[JRuby]

I might be a bit twisted and do not look forward to dieing but I consider dieing as a essential part of living
I for one am happy that I do not have.immortality else I would never get anything done I could procrastinate forever.

 

[The Heretic]

I don't think it's really fair to assume that anyone here is implying that "X" rule applies to all people, everywhere. But it's pretty well established at this point that by and large, isolation or near complete isolation has a pretty negative effect on the human psyche. The science is in on that.

That science is for the median of "normal" people - people within the first standard deviation of the bell curve. Within the context of social interaction, I am not normal. I cannot tolerate the amount of social interaction, but I can tolerate a lot of isolation (I've spent months by myself in Alaska). There have always been people like myself.

Again - don't assume that what is good for many people is good for everybody.

Even if you have no spouse/kids and your family has all passed, make a buddy. Have some personal human contact, even if it's occasional. Life is too short and if you are someone who doesn't really believe in an afterlife, then it's even more critical that you find some happiness in this one. Being introverted does not mean you swear off companionship. I won't presume to speak on a subject like Asperger's since I have only a very basic understanding of it.

I do have contact with people - it is just minimal. I work in an office and see people 5 days a week, 8 hours a day, and that is too much. Most of my workday is me working on a computer, not interacting with people.

I do have a few friends and I have family, but I don't need constant contact with them. It is stressful when I have too much.

 

[Certaindeaf]

I keep my thumb on the speed dial Periscope app on my phone.
So yea, I consider myself prepared for that eventuality.
Just thinking of all those "likes" keeps me going.. one day at a time. lol

 

[edslhead]

Die in a coma and it wont matter.

 

[Captain O]

We who are about to DYE salute you! - Lady Clairol

 

[mjbskwim]

HOLLY bubblegumING bubblegum MAN,let's get off this topic and go forward working on having a happy new year
What a bunch of depressing bubblegumS

 

[Captain O]

HOLLY bubblegumING bubblegum MAN,let's get off this topic and go forward working on having a happy new year
What a bunch of depressing bubblegumS

Life isn't a bowl of cherries. We must learn to face our own mortality and address it. If you don't the people around you will suffer. At times, reality isn't pretty. Sometimes, the truth is painful.

I'm sorry that the world isn't all "sweetness and light".

 

[slimmer13]

Life isn't a bowl of cherries. We must learn to face our own mortality and address it. If you don't the people around you will suffer. At times, reality isn't pretty. Sometimes, the truth is painful.

I'm sorry that the world isn't all "sweetness and light".

There is a difference between accepting the inevitable and dwelling on it to the detriment of our short time we are here. I would advise you find a way to find some happiness with the time you have left.

 

[Vendor Hidden]

Turn that frown upside down!

 

[The Heretic]

There is a difference between accepting the inevitable and dwelling on it to the detriment of our short time we are here. I would advise you find a way to find some happiness with the time you have left.

I don't dwell on it, but I do give it enough thought that I am somewhat prepared for it. I have come close to being killed a few times, and in the last decade I have personally been present when someone died, and in the last year lost four family members. I am not "dwelling" on it, but I am not in denial either.

I found my "happiness" without being in denial of the fact that my time on this mortal coil is limited, and getting shorter everyday. Given the fact that I am at high risk for cancer, Parkinsons, heart disease, stroke Alzheimer's and dementia, to name a few, I do need to accept that I am not immortal.

Talking about it does not mean I am dwelling on it. I dwell more on politics and guns than death, but I am not afraid to talk about death either.

 

[CountryGent]

For you "normal" people, it is probably true that "isolation" may seem to be something bad or even tortuous.

For those of us who are built differently - e.g., introverts, or myself, a person with Aspergers syndrome, being around people too much can be a bad thing, even tortuous. It drains us, can cause us pain. What may seem like fun interaction with others, can seem like conflict to us

^. I get this, not just intellectually, but viscerally. I don't know about Aspergers, but I have very little use for, and am seriously drained by, social interaction. Oh, I have a wife and two children who I love more than life itself. And business contacts and acquaintances. I strive to be friendly, cordial, and helpful in all interactions, and that attitude has helped me do well in business. But truth be told, I can't stand most social gatherings, all are tiring, and some are just outright stupid. I'd rather be hiking up a mountain, hunting winged critters, or engaging in physical labor on my rural acreage. And there is simply nothing in the world like the sound of silence.

But back to the original post ... am I prepared to die alone? Well, it would suck, because that would mean I've outlived my wife, both children, and my many siblings and their families. And it would mean neither of my kiddos had children of their own, or they did but also died. It is a scenario that is possible, though not entirely likely. But why obsess over it? The question kind of reminds me about people's morose fascination with death itself. I never really understood it because it is as inevitable as the sun rising tomorrow. Put another way, there is a ton of history before I even existed and there is going to be a bunch after I'm gone; I'll just try to enjoy the ride for now. The Epistle of James refers to our lives as "a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." That sounds about right, so best to, well, make the best of it.

 

[Bon Sauvage]

Reading all of this stuff makes me think that I am back at work. Enough!

 

[Captain O]

Believe me, when you outlive everyone in your family (including your children) you tend to become bitter. You look at young people that embrace all this socialist garbage with a "jaded nonchalance". So many of them have no idea what "hard living" really is. (Mommy and daddy have "carried their water" and "candied their butts" since the day they were born).

This tends to elicit a level of resentment that they either can't, or refuse, to understand life.

 

[mjbskwim]

Life isn't a bowl of cherries. We must learn to face our own mortality and address it. If you don't the people around you will suffer. At times, reality isn't pretty. Sometimes, the truth is painful.

I'm sorry that the world isn't all "sweetness and light".

Where did I say it was?
I just said get off this subject for this time of year
Holly shnit man.
Come up with a fun topic. Wait till the end of January or something for this crap

 

[mjbskwim]

Just increased my list so I won't see this kind of thread any more

 

[Jamie6.5]

Why not be prepared to die under any/all circumstances?

Last time I checked, we don't get to pick the time.

Being at peace starts with oneself. Once that is achieved, you might be surprised at how alone you aren't.

 

[Captain O]

Just increased my list so I won't see this kind of thread any more

You're the one that subscribed to the thread, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm!

 

[Certaindeaf]

..
Come up with a fun topic..

Fun is where you make it. Black humor goes hand-in-hand with life.