I have no doubt but that when the time comes I will struggle to survive; it is the nature of the beast. Cerebrally, however, I have no attachment to living a L O N G life. (I knew a man once who was 98 years old. He was bedfast, blind and profoundly deaf. His goazl was to make it to 100. Why? Who was keeping score?)

I also have no desire to take heroic measures. Just because a procedure is available is no reason to utilize it. I have no desire nor intention of 'buying' myself a few more weeks or months, if those weeks and months are to be filled with the pain of trying to recoup from surgery or other interventions.

The people we call 'statesmen' have always been able to take a long view. They can do that in fewer than 70 years. They do not need 700 years. (At least I now understand where the figure of '700' comes from. Previously it reminded me of a number plucked out of a hat. Kind of like my daughter at age 15. She informed me that she wanted to lose 20 pounds. I said, OK, I'll help. Aim at losing 5 pounds by the end of next month. She said, No! I want to lose 20 pounds.)

Wealth does not in itself connote either long life or happiness. Look at Ted Kennedy. He certainly has enough money to have avoided the tumor, if money were the issue. As for happiness, think of Howard Hughes.