death

The Big Sleep

by RDavis | Philosophy

When I read obituaries of people of my own age they no longer use the phrase “he died so young”, but they may say “he lived a full life”. Of course I am reminded of my imminent demise, but it also is a way to learn to cherish the time left on this planet. All kinds of thoughts cross your mind when you reach this point in life.

I always had a fascination with the obituary page, but I now find myself reading almost every word of every obituary. I’m not sure what this means, but I suspect I am comparing my life to that of others my age who have passed on and trying to figure out what I would like to have said about me when I pass.

These are not morbid thoughts. If we accept the fact that we all die then we can embrace the last chapters of our lives and exploit the perspective that a lot of decades on the planet have given us. Some people prepare their own obituaries so they can know exactly what will be said about them. It seems like a reasonable thing to do and I tell myself I should do it but I keep putting it off. Does this mean I am afraid of death?

Thugs, Politicians and Guns

by RDavis | Activism

I can’t stop being outraged at the lack of action by politicians on the issue of gun control. It would be easy to become insensitive to the daily reports of mass shootings in this country but every time I hear about one I become more and more depressed because I know that nothing will change in my lifetime, if ever.

This lack of action makes it clear that the U.S. political system is controlled by amoral, unethical and inhumane people. It is fueled by self-interest and the only time that things get done is when politicians think they can get more votes or more financial support in the next election.

Gun control is not about guns or mental health. It is about a failed political system.

The Compassionate Friends of Brattleboro

by Not Signed In | Family

The Compassionate Friends (TCF) of Brattleboro, a national self-help organization for families that have had a child die, will hold its next monthly meeting Sunday, June 17th, at 2:00 PM at The West Village Meetinghouse, 29 South Street, West Brattleboro, VT. Meetings are held each month the third Sunday of the month at the same time and location.