14 Comments

This is quite relatable and timely. While travelling yesterday, I watched an Okada rider almost fall into a gutter and I have been thinking about death since then. Like you, I wonder about what people would say about me, especially those who do not like me now that I am alive. Death comes with this pity that makes us, humans suddenly kind to the dead we were unkind to while alive. Hence my curiosity but I pray I never know.

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This is quite enlightening to know, Rahmah. My real fear is what people would say after me. I fear what's behind me.

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Death is not what we should fear of, rather one should see death as an avenue to a peaceful life on the other side which is eternity. That's is why it's advisable that one should always check is conduct during his lifetime before death eventually take his life.

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Enni, the confusion that starts this response is my worry. I am scared of death not because I long for a peaceful life (I want a peaceful life btw) but because what would be behind me when I'm gone.

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I understand. But the truth is, even if wiping people's tears is what you mostly care to do. When you die, it won't stop people from badmouthing you. One thing I feared about our existence is that, when you're beneficial to people, good commentary will not far from their mouth to you and vice versa. So, I would say that ensuring that your conduct is good is enough for you to know what people would say about you when you're gone.

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Death is inevitable

Even to the Angel of death

All shall die.

Though it's not a curse, it's no safe

Haven either.

I do not fear death; not like before anyway. Well, not that I don't really fear death. I just fear that it does not come now. Not when I've achieved nothing. I'd like death to come when... when...

Whenever death comes for me, I hope I have lived the best out of this life and would live a better one in the hereafter.

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This is an exciting take. Whenever death comes, I hope I have lived the best out of life.

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Why did you polish your sandals

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Spirit drove me.

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After years of struggling to accept the significance of death, I decided to embrace this one:

"Death is the process of transitioning into something else."

I don't know what exactly. But I believe that when we die, we don't actually "die." It's the body that dies. We become something else somewhere else with a different purpose. I don't know if it's true or not, but it's the only thought of death that makes sense to me. The only one that makes me less scared of the eventuality of it.

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Hmm. Zay. This is worth ruminating on. I will always revert to your response. Thank you so much for writing this.

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"Baba, what else do you need your life for?"

!!!

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e reach to ask.

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It seems paradoxical. We didn’t beg to be born, why should we be sad about the fact that we will die someday? Or rather, why are we reluctant to leave? Perhaps it’s the fact that we lived like we won’t die? Or because of our achievements?

There are two mysteries surrounding death. One, nobody knows for sure when he/she will die. Two, what’s next after death? Does everything end in the earth? Is there another life elsewhere?

These days, whenever I visit my grandfather, I’ve observed that his disposition to death is somehow simple. Why? This man once showed me the white cloth he intended to be buried with once he die. On another occasion, he told me where he would like to be buried. One might deduce from the above scenarios that Baba has resigned to fate. Yunno, “anything can happen eat anytime.” You his now got me wondering if his old age has anything to do with his disposition towards death. Did he prepare for death this way when he was perhaps younger? If he has resigned to fate, why does he go the hospital when he’s sick? What’s the point of being healthy if he will surely die someday?

Being afraid of death is very much justifiable, in my opinion. But then, I think we can utilize this fear to our advantage. Let it reflect in who we are, in our conducts. We should live our best lives. We should do what we enjoy doing. Travel. Make new friends. Eat. Have new experiences. Whatever makes one happy.

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