[ugh]

Coping makes sense and celebration can be a wonderful way to cope.

My grandma’s brothers and sisters, kids and grandkids came spontaneously together in her living room shortly after she died at the age of 85. We told each other stories about her life, how she fought her illness late in life, about pranks her kids played on her, how she, as the oldest, had to take care of her brothers and sisters after her parents died early. It was absolutely wonderful and we laughed a lot. Not for her benefit but for us. Much better than the phony consolation and rigid structure of the funeral that followed.

My grandma should never have died. Nobody should ever have to die. But I have become convinced that if someone does celebration is the right way to say goodbye. The mourning will come anyway, be sure to celebrate a little.

[hugh3]

Nobody should ever have to die.

I don't think that's a particularly useful or healthy attitude to have towards death, actually.

[ugh]

Why? And what could be healthy about something as destructive as embracing death?

I like to be pragmatic. I know very well that I will most likely die in a few decades. That’s just how it looks to be at the moment. I do however strongly believe we and the generations that follow us should fight death and that we can win.

[bad_user]

Well, since you are a pragmatic ...

If we could live forever, than we couldn't have any children (our reproduction rate is exponential, but there's only one planet that can hold us all and it doesn't grow any larger).

Stretching this, there would be no real notion of parents or grandparents. And it would get pretty boring too.

As most of us here, you're probably too young. Do you have children? Wait until you see your first toddler walking towards you while laughing.

It's a sentiment worth dying for ;)