afraid to die?
 

When you really think about it, the thought of dying can really freak you out, at least it does me sometimes.

I think what really bugs me out about it is the thought of being 90 years old, stuck in a nursing home waiting to die, and all my friends and family are dead... damn I'm freaking myself out right now LOL.

Re: afraid to die?
 

Sheesh... that's one way to bring us down and ruin a day. Think HAPPY THOUGHTS.

Re: afraid to die?
 

It's gotta' be the crappy weather bringing these thoughts out. Yes, I'm with you there, except I'm going to be so messed up on psychedelic drugs, I won't know if I died or am just having a bad trip.

I'm saving up my drug use for when I'm old. I swear to God though, if I end up going in a nursing home somewhere, I'm going to be infuriated in the afterlife. I better go diving with great whites or something.

Re: afraid to die?
 

No kidding. Actually I work in finance for a CCRC, basically a retirment home. There are a lot of people here and they are all really happy for the most part. You would be surprise Matty how everyone here becomes your family.

Re: afraid to die?
 

[quote=mredskins;306472]No kidding. Actually I work in finance for a CCRC, basically a retirment home. There are a lot of people here and they are all really happy for the most part. You would be surprise Matty how everyone here becomes your family.[/quote]

My wife was a social worker in a nursing home for a few years and she also ran a day program for seniors... I heard all the horror stories. I think I'm scarred for life now... seriously.

I know they have a good life and it's a lot better for them than sitting at home alone. Still, being in a nursing home basically means your life is coming to an end and that's what I hate to think about. I guess when you're in that situation you can't think of it that way though.

I hope when I go it's really quick, or I'm demented so I don't know what's going on.

I also wonder if when you get old you come to some sort of acceptance regarding your mortality.

Re: afraid to die?
 

I also wonder if when you get old you come to some sort of acceptance regarding your mortality.


YUP! I think they realize it is close and have come to closure with it. If you have lived a full life you really can't ask for more.

Re: afraid to die?
 

I live my life without regrets, but honestly it's like there's never enough time in a day for me to get full use out of it.

Re: afraid to die?
 

I've got life insurance for my wife and the mortgage automatically gets paid off on top of that, so I am ready to go. :D

Re: afraid to die?
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;306481]I also wonder if when you get old you come to some sort of acceptance regarding your mortality.[/QUOTE]
I think you have to. Younger people sometimes lack this sense, but when you get old and your family and friends are gone or going you have to know that you'll be gone soon too.

I guess one can only hope that when they get to that age they feel like they lead a fulfilling life. The most depressing thing in the world would have to be sitting in a nursing home and thinking about all the opportunities and experiences that you missed.
And on that note, I think I need to quit my job and start driving across the country.


Side note- [URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIyj87YYDqk"]TMC in 50 years[/URL]

Re: afraid to die?
 

When I die, I want to go like my grandfather - quietly, in his sleep surrounded by friends.

I don't want to die like his four friends - screaming in fear as gramps drove off the cliff.

(I kid, I kid)

Re: afraid to die?
 

[quote=ArtMonkDrillz;306494]I think you have to. Younger people sometimes lack this sense, but when you get old and your family and friends are gone or going you have to know that you'll be gone soon too.

I guess one can only hope that when they get to that age they feel like they lead a fulfilling life. The most depressing thing in the world would have to be sitting in a nursing home and thinking about all the opportunities and experiences that you missed.
And on that note, I think I need to quit my job and start driving across the country.


Side note- [URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIyj87YYDqk"]TMC in 50 years[/URL][/quote]

YOU were the one who knew what boys liked in the van last year. ;)

Re: afraid to die?
 

Damn you and your youthful recallection!

Re: afraid to die?
 

I honestly don't fear death. We all have to go sometime so there is no sense worrying about it. Ideally I would like to die when I am between 75 and 80 years of age.

p.s. We can all easily be behind the wheel of this car tomorrow:

[IMG]http://media.komotv.com/images/070501_I5_fatal.jpg[/IMG]

Re: afraid to die?
 

[quote=saden1;306554]I honestly don't fear death. We all have to go sometime so there is no sense worrying about it. Ideally I would like to die when I am between 75 and 80 years of age.

p.s. We can all easily be behind the wheel of this car tomorrow:

[/quote]
There's no sense in it, but I fear death anyways. We're designed emotionally to fear death... it's the survival instinct that had been embedded in our head from evolution. I can't really control that.

If you actually think about the possibility of non-existence, it's terrifying. Everything you've ever grown to know and love.... gone.

The only thing I can say for certain is that I won't miss anything, because I'll be incapable of the feeling of "missing". I mean if someone killed you, there would be no way to be mad at them. You'd be dead.

Re: afraid to die?
 

[quote=saden1;306554]I honestly don't fear death. We all have to go sometime so there is no sense worrying about it. Ideally I would like to die when I am between 75 and 80 years of age.

p.s. We can all easily be behind the wheel of this car tomorrow:

[IMG]http://media.komotv.com/images/070501_I5_fatal.jpg[/IMG][/quote]


I DONT THINK THAT CAR RUNS ANYMORE?

Re: afraid to die?
 

On a related note, does anyone believe in life after death or reincarnation?

My practical side says when you die that's it, it's like switching off a light, and you just cease to exist.

But you can't help but wonder what else there may be...

Re: afraid to die?
 

I'm not really afraid of death. I certainly want to avoid it, but thinking about it doesn't change my emotions much at all.

The only time thinking about death provokes emotion, is when I think of the people who love me, that I would leave behind. I don't like thinking about that. It's not really possible, but I hope I outlive everyone that loves me.

Re: afraid to die?
 

[quote=saden1;306554]I honestly don't fear death. We all have to go sometime so there is no sense worrying about it. Ideally I would like to die when I am between 75 and 80 years of age.

p.s. We can all easily be behind the wheel of this car tomorrow:

[IMG]http://media.komotv.com/images/070501_I5_fatal.jpg[/IMG][/quote]

Yeah that could definitely be any of us on our way home from work.

That's scary to me, having worked auto claims for a year I saw a few instances of someone on their way home from work and one small mistake cost them their lives.

Dealing with the families afterwards was always heartbreaking. One minute their sons or daughters were simply driving somewhere, the next they're wrapped around a telephone poll, dead on impact.

Re: afraid to die?
 

I'm not really afraid of death, because I believe in salvation and a heaven. I am more afraid of [I]how[/I] I will die.

I went on a rafting trip last year and after going over a 14 foot rapid, the raft flipped and I got stuck underneath both the raft and a boulder. Even though I was scared, I didn't panic and at one point I felt very peaceful like no matter what happened I would be ok either way. I was out of air by the time I re-surfaced. I do know that I don't want to die by drowning though.

Re: afraid to die?
 

I came to grips with this reality (again) when I found out my family is putting my Dad's parents into assisted living. You grow up with a certain vision of what your grandparents (or parents for that matter) look like to you, and then in one fell swoop, it comes crashing down and you realize how mortal they, and you, really are. While I know it's for the best, I'm still having a tough time with it.

Then you have my Mom's Father (Mom's Mother passed 12 years ago) who broke his hip 3 weeks ago, and two weeks after surgery was walking without a cane or walker and going through Rehab like a walk in the park. He's the same age as my Dad's Father. It's weird how things work sometimes.

Re: afraid to die?
 

[quote=Lady Brave;306579]I'm not really afraid of death, because I believe in salvation and a heaven. I am more afraid of [I]how[/I] I will die.

I went on a rafting trip last year and after going over a 14 foot rapid, the raft flipped and I got stuck underneath both the raft and a boulder. Even though I was scared, I didn't panic and at one point I felt very peaceful like no matter what happened I would be ok either way. I was out of air by the time I re-surfaced. I do know that I don't want to die by drowning though.[/quote]


I'm 100% agreement with this biblical teaching.

Re: afraid to die?
 

We have these things around my area that they call retirement villages. It's basically an apartment complex and community center, just for seniors. They're allowed to do whatever they want(go to Mcdonalds, ballgame, skydiving, etc.), but they can also get assistance if they wish, and they are around their peers. It's basically the same concept as assisted living, but it allows them to keep their independence. I volunteered at one of them for a weekend, and it seemed to me that most of the folks there loved it.

Re: afraid to die?
 

I do know that I want a lot of laughter at my funeral. No sadness. Well, maybe a little. I also want HTTR played at some point during the service.

Re: afraid to die?
 

[quote=Lady Brave;306591]I do know that I want a lot of laughter at my funeral. No sadness. Well, maybe a little. I also want HTTR played at some point during the service.[/quote]

TOTAL Class move with the HTTR

Re: afraid to die?
 

[QUOTE=BDBohnzie;306581]I came to grips with this reality (again) when I found out my family is putting my Dad's parents into assisted living. You grow up with a certain vision of what your grandparents (or parents for that matter) look like to you, and then in one fell swoop, it comes crashing down and you realize how mortal they, and you, really are. While I know it's for the best, I'm still having a tough time with it.

Then you have my Mom's Father (Mom's Mother passed 12 years ago) who broke his hip 3 weeks ago, and two weeks after surgery was walking without a cane or walker and going through Rehab like a walk in the park. He's the same age as my Dad's Father. It's weird how things work sometimes.[/QUOTE]The closest I've ever been to death was probably in the months leading up to my next door neighbor's passing a little over a year ago.
I'd lived next door to him for years and he was always this strong older guy (mid 60s) who loved doing yard work and gardening and all that sort of stuff. Then he was diagnosed with cancer and he started to go pretty quick.
He lost a ton of weight and and couldn't do much of anything for himself anymore. Since my mom is a nurse we used to go over to his house to help his wife change his sheets or get him out of the hospital bed that they had to put in their living room.
Once his wife frantically pounded on our door because he fell out of bed when she was trying to change his clothes. When I got there he just seemed to sad and helpless.
When he finally did pass away, in a hospice, I felt so relieved for him and his widow because at least all that pain and suffering was over. It was obviously very sad, but almost good at the same time.

Until then I obviously knew I was going to die one day, but I never really had to face death first hand (both my grandfathers passed away before I was born and my grandmothers are still with us).
After seeing my neighbor go I don't think I'm really afraid of dying so much as I am afraid that I will feel like I didn't live my life to the fullest when it is my time. At the same time, I guess I am sort of afraid that I could get into a freak accident and go at any minute, but I know that I can't let that fear keep me from living my life. I guess I'd rather die while climbing a mountain at age 30 (God forbid) than spend my whole life sitting on my ass and die alone and bored at 90.

Re: afraid to die?
 

[QUOTE=Lady Brave;306591]I do know that I want a lot of laughter at my funeral. No sadness. Well, maybe a little. I also want HTTR played at some point during the service.[/QUOTE]

Nice. I've said the same thing before, and that's why I love the idea of an Irish wake. You should be celebrating the person's life instead of just mourning their lose (with due respect, of course).

my dad has joked in the past that when he goes he wants to be stuffed, dressed in a tux with a martini in one hand and a cigar in the other and he wants us to have a huge party. That's a little morbid, but I get what he's saying.

Re: afraid to die?
 

I'm not religious, so I don't believe in an afterlife really. But there's so little we know about Neuroscience, that who the hell knows what goes on in your brain when you die.

If chemical imbalances can cause depression, bipolar disorder, and stuff like that, what happens chemically when our brains cease to get oxygen and carbon dioxide builds up? I mean, we know the brain tissue dies, but we don't know how the brain reacts to that chemical change. Does it release a signal making us think there's a white light? Does it release a signal feeling like endorphins? Hell, for all we know, a dying brain's chemical changes could release us into a vivid world that seems like heaven. For all we know, heaven could be inside our own minds.

That's what is so trippy, to me. We have no idea what our brain's going to do when we die. Will it do anything, and if so, how long will it last before the screen goes totally blank?

Re: afraid to die?
 

By the way, great thread dude. Sure beats bitching at each other about thread titles.

Re: afraid to die?
 

Schneed, you just blew my fucking mind! I'd like to subscribe to your newsletter.

(neat, no more language filter)

Re: afraid to die?
 

You guys are freaking me out!!!

Re: afraid to die?
 

[quote=ArtMonkDrillz;306596]Nice. I've said the same thing before, and that's why I love the idea of an Irish wake. You should be celebrating the person's life instead of just mourning their lose (with due respect, of course).

my dad has joked in the past that when he goes he wants to be stuffed, dressed in a tux with a martini in one hand and a cigar in the other and he wants us to have a huge party. That's a little morbid, but I get what he's saying.[/quote]

I agree, it's good to celebrate the person's life. I think it's asking too much to ask people not to mourn, because if they loved you they're going to miss you. But they should feel comfortable laughing about the funny things you used to do in addition to crying about missing you. I hate when people feel like they're supposed to be solemn 100% of the time at a funeral; I want people to cry if they feel like crying at my death, but if they feel like laughing, then I want them to laugh.

The important thing is that the person be remembered. So tell funny stories and laugh, but also cry at the love you lost. Make sure you're remembering all that which makes you laugh and all that which makes you sad that they're gone. That way you're sure to remember the person's entire life, not just the part you want to think about.

Re: afraid to die?
 

Yeah, I really didn't mean that people shouldn't be sad or mourn your passing, but that just shouldn't be the whole focus, IMO. I guess that's easier said than done if the death is really untimely.

Re: afraid to die?
 

[quote=ArtMonkDrillz;306611]Schneed, you just blew my fucking mind! I'd like to subscribe to your newsletter.

(neat, no more language filter)[/quote]

Yeah man, there's a lot of chemical changes that go along with decomposition. Would a rotting brain emit some minor chemical charges (similar in strength to the synapses that currently make us think thoughts) that could get interpreted in some way by a dying brain? If you get cremated, does that just dismantle your brain and completely shut it down? If you send a mild electric current through a dead brain, will images flash from within the brain?

I don't know, maybe a neurologist will come along and set me straight and say a brain ceases all activity once you're dead. Who knows. But there isn't a neurologist who has experienced death, and neurology is a science we don't know a whole lot about. Maybe there's brain activity there that our technology can't pick up?

I have no answers, only questions.

Re: afraid to die?
 

[quote=ArtMonkDrillz;306620]Yeah, I really didn't mean that people shouldn't be sad or mourn your passing, but that just shouldn't be the whole focus, IMO. I guess that's easier said than done if the death is really untimely.[/quote]

Word. No matter how you cut it, death sucks. I guess I just meant to say that people should feel free to deal with it in their own way. I remember being at my grandmother's funeral a few years ago, and at the reception I was telling a joke about something she once did, and I was cracking up and my dad and brothers were laughing too. But my mom got all frowny and later told me that you're not supposed to act like that at a funeral. I was like eff that, I'm very sad she's gone, but we all deal with it in our own way. I like to remember the good things to help me get through the tough feelings.

Re: afraid to die?
 

[QUOTE=Schneed10;306622][B]I have no answers, only questions[/B].[/QUOTE]

Just like Socrates.

Re: afraid to die?
 

[quote=Mattyk72;306560]On a related note, does anyone believe in life after death or reincarnation?

My practical side says when you die that's it, it's like switching off a light, and you just cease to exist.

But you can't help but wonder what else there may be...[/quote]

[COLOR=black][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Have one ghost experience and you'll KNOW there is life after death.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]

Re: afraid to die?
 

A buddy of mine and I were debating this the other day. What if you got sucked out of a plane at 30,000 feet? Is it possible free fall to your death and be aware of what's going on? Or would you pass out due to the thin air and shock of the situation??

Re: afraid to die?
 

You'd pass out.. no oxygen...

Re: afraid to die?
 

[quote=hesscl34;306688]You'd pass out.. no oxygen...[/quote]

It would actually depend on the person. Most would pass out, but there are a few capable of making it.

Re: afraid to die?
 

How long would you pass out for though?

Could you wake up before you hit the ground at 200 mph?