Our One Inevitability

Essay on Death

Death is a frightening term. it’s something we don’t talk about often, unless we’re under the influence of drugs or grief. The act of dying is when our heart stops and we cease to breathe. Beginning then the decomposition process where the body shuts down and we are eventually disposed of whether by burial or cremation. I’m asked more than I ever expected whether I wish to be cremated or buried, and to be honest. I don’t know. I don’t think about it very often, I don’t think about death very often, and I’d imagine that to be normal.

There are people out there that walk around terrified of death, and to an extent I believe that everyone experiences this fear to a degree. Whether by a sudden realisation that it will one day occur, or by a near death experience, it arrives and you feel it. It’s possibly the darkest feeling to encounter, that feeling of emptiness from the eventual non-existence.

The scariest part might very well be the fear of the unknown. The ever not-knowing of how it will happen and when. why. The Best case scenario being a ‘peaceful’ sending to sleep, where you encounter no pain, no suffering. Surrounded by the gripping hands of loved ones and happy memories to bring with you to wherever it is we go.

Worst case scenario being the obvious, touch wood, impromptu, unpredictable and improbable events that would cause a sudden injury irrecoverable. Whether an accident or caused with intent. To leave this earth with the sense that your time was taken, stolen from you. I think we can all agree. Would be the absolute worst case scenario to occur. That all that work into relationships, work, self-improvement, image and growth. Would be gone in a second by one single incident.

Now, grieving death is just another side of the same coin, you’re feeling that feeling for the deceased. You’re churning your stomach until it aches in utter disbelief that their time has come. Whether too soon or not, the mourning is prevalent. Picking apart the memories they left behind, and this only confusing the brain further that the image being pictured is no longer able to be seen. This image being the last of their form, and the last way they will be remembered by you. Forever.

So what are the facts of death, we know that we will go into the ground or be scattered somewhere else over land or sea. Either way, we will become one with the earth again. Where we might rot or wither, flourish into the plants growing around us. And the beings walking around will forget, maybe not immediately. Our loved ones containing us in their memory until their time comes too. But eventually, we will be forgotten. Significance as we know, has no place on this earth. Meaning wasn’t born into our existence, it was created by ourselves as we grew. Taught from one person to the next that what we say, do and believe matters. Though it doesn’t. not really.

And as for what we don’t know, this option has endless ideas, theories and forms. Different religions and concepts that all promote an end after the end. That reality isn’t the all and only, that there’s more if you just believe - If you just behave well in this life that the next will show you kindness and abundance - That you deserve more, and shouldn’t be scared because more is what you will get - That family shouldn’t be disheartened for she is in a better place now, surrounded by clouds and other older relatives who have all crowded her, filling her with reassurance and love that all will be okay. She is with a higher power that is protecting her more than was ever possible for her here.

Whatever the end might provide, whether you believe in reincarnation or nothing, we all hit a peak eventually. It could have already been, it could be today or in many years time. But after you hit that point, it’ll all go downhill. Bones weakening, mind deteriorating. Leading to our one inevitability. All we can do until then is ignore this knowledge that lurks above our heads, and fight for the enjoyment and participation we deserve out of this little life.

Our little life that ends sooner than we might expect…