BS: prepared for death

Subject: BS: prepared for death
From: GUEST,happy bloke
Date: 15 Apr 06 - 10:14 PM

me and the wife are knocking on 50..

I wasted too much of my younger life being afraid of death.

Now I'm more afraid of growing old and incapable
and losing my health and mind and the love of people I recognise...


so is death a friend or a foe !!!!!?????


btw.. i'm an agnostic..



[ best answer wins a bottle of strong malt in the after life..
you provide the soda & ice ]

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: Teribus
Date: 15 Apr 06 - 10:25 PM

Think yourselves lucky that you both have your health and each other you youngsters

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 15 Apr 06 - 10:30 PM

I'm quite confident that Death will be a friend when I finally meet him. Just the same, if he wants to postpone that meeting for a good number of years yet, it's okay with me. And when he does decide it's time to meet, I'd appreciate it if he'd leave his friend Pain at home.

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: GUEST,I listen to UK radio 4
Date: 15 Apr 06 - 11:39 PM

I listen to UK radio 4:


I hope heaven will be a bit like that !

Fluffy white clouds and harps that stay in tune
and feathery wings that don'nt itch
will be a bonus..

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: Little Hawk
Date: 15 Apr 06 - 11:41 PM

I think death is a very good friend. We'll see when it comes.

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: GUEST,waiting patiently
Date: 15 Apr 06 - 11:53 PM

life is a cold damp seat in a dirty smelly bus station
after the pubs chuck you out for being a lound mouthed nuisance
on a cold wintery drizzely night..

death is the Bus that finally arrives late
with its inviting warm lights
and sqeaking whooshing opening door to take you home..

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: Peace
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 12:26 AM

"[ best answer wins a bottle of strong malt in the after life..
you provide the soda & ice ]"

Only a heathen would adulterate a good malt with soda or ice.

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: GUEST,happy bloke
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 12:38 AM

Peace wins the trick mystery prize question   
that guarantees a place in heaven !

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: Peace
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 12:45 AM

It's highly unlikely I will end up there, so after reconsidering, the soda and ice might be most refreshing.

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 02:18 AM

Radio 4

The Money programme, You and Yours, Bll Naughtie's demolition interview of the Neil Kinnock in 1992, People singing hymns in funny voices on Sunday mornings, Sue Lawley..........

if I ever die of apoplexy or boredom, I want those bastards listed on the death certificate as a contributory factor.

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 02:40 AM

If one must die, as oft as breath departs,
Then he must often die, who often farts,
So if to die be but to lose ones breath,

Then deaths a fart, so a fart for death.

eric

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 10:37 AM

Death is not your friend; but for me, hopefully it will be a shot in the back of my head, administered by my girlfriends jealous husband, and not before i'm 93 years old. ;-)

Yours, Aye. Dave

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 10:46 AM

I too will die listening to Radio4, but happily as I love it, apart from John Shuttleworth being boringly unfunny in a silly voice, Count Arthur Strong being boringly unfunny in a silly voice, Eddie Mair suffering from the delusion that he is funny and making silly smug inappropriate remarks, Jonathan Dimbleby hogging the limelight in Any Questions, and Marcus Brigstock being in every second programme.
I will be extremely upset though if when I do die I go to heaven, as I'm sure I won't know anybody up there!
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 10:59 AM

I am well over 50 and too busy to be contemplating it.

Plan a little but don't be preoccupied.

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: GUEST,van lingle
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 11:07 AM

Make mine a good sour mash whisky and let's hope we meet up in a place where the ice doesn't melt too quickly.vl

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: bobad
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 11:16 AM

Death is neither friend nor foe, it is merely the cessation of a process that begins with conception. It is the physiological consequence of life.

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: Alice
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 12:59 PM

I was thinking about it just this morning... I am ready for death, but my house is not. There is too much "stuff" those left behind would have to sort through and deal with. Before being a parent, I had such a simpler life, so few possessions. Now there is an accumulation of kids clothes, toys, school projects, outgrown stuff of both his and mine to pass along. The charity shops are full and don't take donations like they used to, and I'm not going to waste it by putting it in the landfill. I recall when my parents were killed that my dad had very few things left around the house. He seemed "ready to go". My mom had WAY too much stuff like quilt fabrics and old buttons and old magazines and obsessive collections.

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: Amos
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 01:12 PM

Being ready for death, like being "ready for love", is interesting mentally but never turns out to be up to the actual thing.

A

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: Little Hawk
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 01:15 PM

That's an interesting take on it, Amos. I think you are right about that.

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: Peace
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 01:47 PM

When death is better than the alternative, it becomes a welcome consideration.

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: mack/misophist
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 02:09 PM

Single malt varies from bland to medicinal to glorious. Sour mash is just that -- sour.

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: fat B****rd
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 02:18 PM

My lovely old mother died on March 10th last aged 97. She passed peacefully in her sleep. If mine is anything like that then ...fine.
I don't fear dying but the manner of it.
PS I know the Devil's got all the best tunes but I'm not sure about the venue.

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 02:22 PM

When it comes like it came for Gene Pitney it's a friend. When it comes like it came for my father it's an enemy.

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: Peace
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 02:22 PM

I'm sorry for your loss, fB.

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: clairerise
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 02:41 PM

death is no friend.

it is a cruel joke. and the joke is no-one is laughing.

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: Rapparee
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 02:42 PM

WE NEVER RODE THE JUDITHS
For Ian Tyson

We never rode the Judiths when we were grey-wolf wild.
Never gathered Powder River, Palo Duro, or John Day.
No, we never rode the Judiths when their sirens preened and smiled.
And we'll never ride the Judiths before they carry us away.

Cowboys cut for sign on back trails to the days that used to be
Sorting, sifting through chilled ashes of the past.
Or focused on some distant star, out near eternity,
Always hoping that the next day will be better than the last.

Out somewhere in the future, where spring grass is growing tall,
We rosin up our hopes for bigger country, better pay.
But as the buckers on our buckles grow smooth-mouthed or trip and fall
We know tomorrow's draw ain't gonna throw no gifts our way.

And we never rode the Judiths when we were grey-wolf bold.
Never rode the Grande Ronde Canyon out north of Enterprise.
No we never rode the Judiths, and we know we're getting old
As old trails grow steeper, longer, right before our eyes.

My horses all are twenty-some. ..ain't no good ones coming on.
The deejays and the Nashville hands won't let "... Amazed" turn gold.
We're inclined to savor evening now. We usta favor dawn.
Seems we're not as scared of dyin' as we are of growing old.

I wish we'd a' rode the Judiths when we were grey-wolf wild.
And gathered Powder River, Palo Duro, and John Day.
But we never rode the Judiths when their sirens' songs beguiled
And we'll never ride the Judiths before they carry us away.

                                                 --Wallace McRae

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: clairerise
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 02:43 PM

and any philosophizing over death and its virtues and vices, and different 'spin' on death is a fools game of denial. it is a joke.

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: Peace
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 02:49 PM

"it is a cruel joke. and the joke is no-one is laughing."

All things die. It's not cruel--that simply anthropomorphises death.

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: frogprince
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 04:16 PM

An old friend's grandfather lived till his late eighties, active bright and happy. The family had Sunday dinner together; he ate well, pushed back, said "that was good"...and slumped dead as a doornail in his chair. A little funny, a little startling for the family, but I wouldn't consider it the least bit "cruel".
   But, before I hit the "submit" here, yes I know that death can come with too much pain, and it's often very sad, too often devastating, for the survivors.

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: Rapparee
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 04:49 PM

Life ain't no ways permanent. And whether or not there's an afterlife we'll know soon enough. So I can't waste my time worryin' about death -- I'll work on life while I got it.

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: clairerise
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 04:58 PM

words

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: akenaton
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 05:05 PM

"O Death! the poor man's dearest friend,
The kindest and the best!
Welcome the hour my aged limbs
Are laid with thee at rest!
The great, the wealthy fear thy blow
- From pomp and pleasure torn;
But, oh! a blest relief for those
That weary-laden mourn.

Robert Burns.

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: Little Robyn
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 05:31 PM

'it is a joke.'
Yes, most Morris dancers know that - Black Joke.
The Black Joke is Death.
How many people dance that?
I guess everybody does in the end.
Does that make everybody a Morris dancer finally?
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: Geordie-Peorgie
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 07:19 PM

When aah gan, aah wanna gan quietly, in me sleep, like me Grandad

Not screamin' in panic like 'is passengers

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: Alice
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 07:29 PM

Rapaire, thanks for Wally McRae's poem.
photo - view of the Judith range of mountains

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: beardedbruce
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 07:30 PM

Sonnet 21/10/92                        CDXXXIII

                I now have been upon the edge, and seen
                The end of my existence. Shall I mourn
                All that I have not started? Shall I glean
                Some wisdom from this life, or shall I scorn
                To offer up the seeds of my life's crop?
                I shall not weep: I may have had my share
                Of dreams, but yet I know that Death will stop
                All my concerns. No one will know I care.
                I feel my own mortality, and fear
                The emptiness I cannot see into,
                The loss of memories that I hold dear,
                Far more than pain: I am to my mind true.
                 To each, an end must come, and I shall rest
                 Resigned to my fate, unknown and unblessed.

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 07:39 PM

Watching a loved one die feels like talons ripping through your skin until every nerve ending is exposed and hurting.

I don't wish that on any of my children.

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: GUEST,Anubis
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 09:38 PM

It is part of life , what did you feel before you were born?

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: Bill D
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 10:01 PM

♫ When the pale axeman strikes his blow,
And takes the warm life from my breast,
Plant by my grave a sapling Oak
And violets of azure crest.

The oaken shaft, the oaken shaft-my staff,
The flowers my epitaph,
The oaken shaft, the oaken shaft-my staff,
The flowers my epitaph.♫

as sung by Utah Phillips (his tune to a poem)

...seems a good attitude to me....except for the 'grave' bit - I don't want a 'location' forever. The oak and flowers can be anywhere...and if anyone remembers why they're there, well fine.

I guess I need to think about it...but like Alice, I have way too much 'stuff' to be going soon..*grin*....I need to give my son a fighting chance and dispose of some of the more...ummmm...'arcane' items in the next 10 years.

   It's funny about being in my 60s and becoming aware that I need to consider these things....'cause I was just getting the hang of it all.

"Youth is a wonderful thing....too bad it is wasted on the young"

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: NH Dave
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 10:07 PM

Death is different for each of us depending on our beliefs and raising, but when we get old, and our youth and friends have long ago gone, death comes as a friend to lead us home.

   Dave

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: Mudlark
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 10:20 PM

G-P....thanks for a good laugh at a troublesome subject.

As a firm believer in compost, I can only accept decay as what it is, the basis for life. That doesn't make losing a loved one any easier.

And for a different take...

"Your life's too short and love is gone too soon
Come with me and fly the dark of moon, the dark of moon
Life's not life if you must lose it
Death's not death if you refuse it
Who can blame you if you choose
The vampire"

Michael Smith

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: frogprince
Date: 16 Apr 06 - 11:08 PM

Please let me go 'round again, Lord;
    Please let me go 'round again;
    You give mighty short rides on your merry-go-round;
    Please let me go 'round again.
   
          (By poet and philosopher Benny Hill)

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: Amos
Date: 17 Apr 06 - 01:53 AM

May your life be like a love song, in the act of every breath
And a poem to the purpose that it serves.
And may you set your shoes to dancing in the hour of your death,
And meet it with the courage it deserves.
May your spirit pass in pirouettes
Of such amazing grace
That the tears of those who mourn you
Disappear without a trace;
And the smoke of all their sorrow
At the passing of your feats
Be a ring around the rainbow
When the circle is complete.

Al Grierson

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: rock chick
Date: 17 Apr 06 - 04:36 AM

My first husband died at the very young age of 23, I used to worry (not scared) about death, but having been very very close to it on more than one occasion, and told that I even apparently visited it briefly, although I don't recall anything like looking down at myself, so I feel quite at peace with it and have done for many years. When my time comes I am sure it will be for all the right reasons and that it is then time for me to move onto the next level of the soul.

RC X

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: GUEST,potbelly
Date: 17 Apr 06 - 08:50 AM

it all depends on were you are going to spend eternity???.

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: kendall
Date: 17 Apr 06 - 09:04 AM

"So live, that when your summons comes to join that innumerable caravan that moves to that mysterious realm, where each shall take his chamber in the silent halls of death,
Thou go, not like the quarry slave at night, scourged to his dungeon,
But, sustained and soothed by an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave like one who wraps the covers of his couch about him,
And lies down to pleasant dreams." (Nathaniel Hawthorn"

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 17 Apr 06 - 10:50 AM

So always look on the bright side of death,
Just before you draw your terminal breath,
Lifes a piece of shit,
When you look at it,
Lifes a laugh and deaths a joke it's true.

eric

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: Rapparee
Date: 17 Apr 06 - 11:29 AM

William Cullen Bryant, Kendall.

When I was 5 my father died. Three years later, my maternal grandpa. Four years later, my maternal grandma. Seven years, my Uncle Jack. Six year, and my paternal grandpa. Then my friend Tom, of an overdose. My surviving Grandmother only a month before I married. Another Uncle. Then my mother. My oldest friend, Bob. My friend Steve, younger than I am.

Heck, I used to play in a cemetery, I had a job setting gravestones, and my brother used to dig graves! Even in the Army, at the end of my hitch I had a Graves Registration unit attached to my platoon.

Under the wide and starry sky,
Dig the grave and let me lie.
Glad did I live and gladly die
And I laid me down with a will.

This be the verse you grave for me:
Here he lies where he longed to be,
Home is the sailor, home from sea,
And the hunter home from the hill.

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: Donuel
Date: 17 Apr 06 - 11:31 AM

Allow me to illustate...

http://www.angelfire.com/md2/customviolins/rollercoast.jpg

Subject: RE: BS: prepared for death
From: folk1e
Date: 17 Apr 06 - 12:19 PM

The measure of man is the love he leaves behind