I have never been afraid of dying but I believe a lot of
people are. I am around many of them on
a daily basis at work as an activity director at an old folks home. In fact, one woman in particular is terrified
of dying. I am not sure why but I’d like
to ask her sometime. I think some people
wonder if it hurts to die. With my work,
I have been privileged to sit at the death bed of several of my best buddies as
they transition home. One particular friend was conscious enough
before she went on morphine that she was able to describe it to me. I asked her, “Does it hurt to die?” She stated, “Yes, but I keep lifting up to
the most beautiful sight. Then I drop
back down again because it isn’t time yet.” She was dying from complications from
diabetes.She had open wounds between her toes so I can see how that hurt. I can tell you from experience that drowning is a very peaceful way
to go. I drowned when I was 10 years
old. I remember it vividly still to this
day. I remember being scared at first
when I knew I couldn’t hold my breath anymore but once I took that first breath
of water it was the most peaceful feeling I can ever remember. I still think about that often. I saw bright light and I remember looking
around in the water and seeing how beautiful blue it was and feeling such a
glorious feeling of weightlessness and peace in my little 10 year old body as I
breathed the water in and out of my lungs.
Then as everything was moving toward the light, I remember being thrown
up onto the side of the pool and people pushing on me hard and then me coughing
up lots and lots of water. I don’t know
how long I was under there but I remember needing a nap when that was
over. The funny thing is that even with
that experience, I have never been afraid of water. Maybe I am not afraid because I know how
peaceful and painless it is to drown.
God knows us so well because He made us and He knows that it
is common to fear dying. So I think it
is pretty amazing to look at how God prepares us for natural death from old
age. Where I work, every day I see
people in varying degrees of poor health.
I see their decline and ultimate end although they sometimes move on to
a higher level of care before that end comes.
I look at how people get diabetes, high blood pressure, heart issues,
blood clotting, strokes, inability to take in nourishment, etc. Most of the people I deal with, by the time
they are near death they are ready. They
are tired of hurting. They are tired of
struggling and have little quality of life left. God is pretty cool like that to prepare us
for natural death. We become ready. We become tired and want to sleep. Even in the end, God has our back.
Sometimes it is good to consider our own mortality. We are on vacation here on this earth. One day we will all go home, but on every
other day, we will enjoy our vacation and spread joy like confetti to all we
come in contact with. Get out there today
and sprinkle kindness and love into our world.
Thank you for reading my blog.
Please give me a like and a follow and a share!
Jennifer
