The End
Thank you, Julia Shepeleva, for the lovely sunrise.
In just under 8 weeks, two beloved uncles of mine have passed from this life and moved on to the other side.
Sorrow has made its way through my family in repeat performances, leaving us stricken with a mixture of guilt, sadness and regret. (Read my eulogy to my Uncle Clem here.)
Unfortunately, I’m no stranger to death, having lost my father when I was a child, his father whom I never met, my beloved grandmothers, my gentle grandfather, an aunt gone way too soon and countless pets – each one’s passing making the hole wider in my heart.
I’m not sure I can take much more, especially as death continues to draw itself close. And I know it will. It will draw closer to all of us, eventually taking us, too. I’m thankful, though, that I still have my health and my dear husband; my mother; my brother; my in-laws (including sisters and brothers); my friends; and now, in my heart’s possession, my sons, whom I fear if I ever lost, I would never recover.
But what if we are looking at death all wrong? What if in reality, death is actually a grand rebirth? One that we should celebrate instead of mourn?
Perhaps the late Vladimir Nabokov, one of the most imaginative and accomplished writers of our time, put it best:
“Life is a great surprise. I do not see why death should not be a greater one.”
What do you think?
Great post. I would love to reframe death so it would be less haunting and scary. It takes my breath away to think of it. I often wonder if fear of death is worse than death…. sorry for your losses. I like that you are sharing your process with the world.
I have a feeling that you are right – our fear of death is actually worse than the real thing. It’s the loss that is so disturbing and incomprehensible to our mortal minds. We can try to convince ourselves that death is a glorious rebirth, but when it comes right down to it, we will still crumble at its feet. Like if I lost my children, for example. I simply could not bear it. It would destroy me. Literally.
Isn’t it actually “surprise”, not “sunrise”?
I’m laughing at myself! Yes, it’s a great “SURPRISE.” Wow, what a blunder. Thanks so much for the tip! It is now fixed on my blog. I’m still laughing …
One of my favorite quotes of his.
Yes, me too. But by the way I slaughtered it, I’m sure Nabokov is rolling around in his grave.
Ok, my friend. I just looked it up again and I’m finding “sunrise” on my quote sites. So i’m seeing it both ways. What’s your source for “surprise?”
Pale Fire page 225, Shade to Kinbote.
I’ve officially just got schooled. The funny thing is, “Pale Fire” is on my list of must reads. I devoured “Lolita.” I’ll take this as a sign to read Pale Fire post haste.