"On Death"

death:  cessation of life and all associated processes

No longer with us; passed over, passed away, or simply, passed; on to a better place; free at last.  There are a variety of terms used to express death, many of them to soften the starkness of that word, of that experience.

There has been a death in our family.  Our stepmother has died.  At the age of 98, she was the last of our parent's generation.  The "torch" has been passed on to my two brothers and me.  We are now the elders of the Shanks' family. 

Death fascinates and intrigues me.  It always has--a curiosity, not a morbidity.  The universal equalizer, not a single person on the planet is exempt.  We come into this world with nothing; we leave with nothing.

How is it that from one breath, one heartbeat to the next the very being, the essence of a person is removed, and all that is left is the house, the body?  While some may feel they can bring about their own death, they are only dealing with the physical.   No man is able to remove their own person.

I have no fear of death and, at this point in time, there is no fear of the process of dying either.  Neither do I have any pretty pictures of life after death.  One would think I would, given the many near-death experiences I've read about and my religious upbringing.  

What I do know is this:  The One who created me and delivered me into this world is going to usher me out.  My finite mind cannot begin to grasp what is next.  I know of His presence there and nothing more.    

Where there is birth there is also death, and it is my belief that physical death is not an end, but a beginning, the beginning of the rest of time, of life with God or without Him.  

My family and I will gather at a funeral service tomorrow.  The thought is always present at these occasions of  "Who's next?"  Only God knows.

This I do know:  Given the universal experience of death, what is truly important is that of being prepared to meet Him.  May He do that for each one of you.    


"Prepare to meet thy God."

"Everyone must die once, and after that be judged by God."  

"Oh, death, where is your victory?  Oh, grave, where is your sting?"