Re: First understanding of mortality

From: k_aegis@mindspring.com
Date: Tue Dec 07 1999 - 12:50:03 MST


> In a message dated 12/07/1999 12:18:55 PM Eastern Standard Time, hal@finney.org writes:
> Is this a universal phenomenon? Does everyone experience this as a
> traumatic moment, after which you know that your days are numbered?

I had encounters with Death at an early age and again in my early 20s,
due to illness. Ever since, I have been trying to reconcile a sense of mortality as a quiet presence in daily life. We biological creatures are so fragile, the skin so thin a defense against the rigors of existence, the bones so prone to breakage and decay.

And, yet, the encounters have liberated me from a deep fear of Death. Every new day is an affirmation of the act of self-will that activated the bodily machinery to cure itself. I do wonder how that view will change as age advances, but I plan to live a long time.

And, thank you Hal, for your honesty and willingness to bring up
this subject.

Affectionately,
Kathryn



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