Family & Relationships0 min ago
Mortality
38 Answers
OK, a slightly maudlin topic for the time of year (apologies)... but it was just something that popped into my head. I'm in my mid 50s and reasonably healthy. I don't FEEL old, actually very young at heart, but I'm aware that old age isn't that far away now, and to be honest it terrifies me. The idea of not being able to look after myself properly, or becoming frail, or even senile. As it gets closer, I think about it more.
This is just an open question. Have you ever reached a point in your life when you fear old age, or do you not think about it? Or maybe you're 'old' now and laugh about the fears you used to have?
This is just an open question. Have you ever reached a point in your life when you fear old age, or do you not think about it? Or maybe you're 'old' now and laugh about the fears you used to have?
Answers
I'm very young actually but even as a child I was always acutely aware of my own ( and everyone else's) mortality. I remember in passing on here when I was about 14 or so mentioning it and everyone assumed that I was depressed or suicidal for some reason but i'm not, i'm just very aware that I will one day die. there will be a last time for everything, a last walk, a last...
23:15 Tue 26th Dec 2017
I am aware of the threat of death as my mum died 3 years ago, my dad and my partner are both in their 70s. They're both talking about not having much time left.
I worry more about being incapacitated than being dead.
Now I'm edging towards 50 I know 60 and 70 will come whizzing up.
I wouldn't rely on pills that are available over the counter to see me off. 10 paracetamol won't do anything. I might try to nick my mum's morphine that is still in my parents' house.
I worry more about being incapacitated than being dead.
Now I'm edging towards 50 I know 60 and 70 will come whizzing up.
I wouldn't rely on pills that are available over the counter to see me off. 10 paracetamol won't do anything. I might try to nick my mum's morphine that is still in my parents' house.
Not maudlin at all. Death comes to us all, often preceded by old age, sometimes by decrepitude.
Like many, when I'm really low - and it's not just being low, but knowing that various ailments are NOT going to get better with time! - then lying down and going to sleep forever does seem like a good option...
But, and it's the only really important but... My death is scarcely relevant to me, but it is hugely relevant to my partner. Of course she would survive, of course she would cope, and so on, but she would be utterly devastated by our being separated by death, after nearly half-a-century together.
And given our differing ailments, my death is more likely than hers. This is a cause of gut-wrenching sorrow to me, of blinding hot tears of regret - but not for me.
My only wish is that I could be the second one to die, to save her the pain.
Buenchico, I do wonder about your own plans. You seem to contemplate your own end so easily; I wish I could do the same.
BB
Like many, when I'm really low - and it's not just being low, but knowing that various ailments are NOT going to get better with time! - then lying down and going to sleep forever does seem like a good option...
But, and it's the only really important but... My death is scarcely relevant to me, but it is hugely relevant to my partner. Of course she would survive, of course she would cope, and so on, but she would be utterly devastated by our being separated by death, after nearly half-a-century together.
And given our differing ailments, my death is more likely than hers. This is a cause of gut-wrenching sorrow to me, of blinding hot tears of regret - but not for me.
My only wish is that I could be the second one to die, to save her the pain.
Buenchico, I do wonder about your own plans. You seem to contemplate your own end so easily; I wish I could do the same.
BB
