Are you ready to die?

[BTW]

This is not a religious question or even philosophical - but I guess a stamina question. If you got really bad news about your health and that you wouldn't be here much longer, would your first reaction be that its a time for a conclusion or more of a "I ain't ready to go yet!"? I want to make it clear I don't have any such bad news and the question comes from more of thinking what Tony Snow and Elizabeth Edwards must be wrestling with. That and just thinking how tired I am and what would my reaction be to such news. I'm starting to think I may be a dull depression? Not self destructive as far as I can see, but really tired.

[Halo]

Yes.  Death is inevitable and ought to be really interesting.  

I'm older now and no one is absolutely dependent on me anymore.  Younger people with or without families obviously want to stay around longer, and so do I, but I appreciate the inevitable finality and hopefully something beyond.

[Gunthr]

I think your question is a very wise question.  

"Remember the grave" ...  and it helps you live your life.

[Masherbrum]

Noone is ever ready to die.

[lasersailor184]

****, I've had a couple of close calls.  

But I hope I'm never ready to die.

I kind of like how some of the indians used to do it.  When the old indian elders just felt it was their time, they wandered off into the woods, never to be found again, nor to even be looked for.

When I feel it's my time, I'll stuff 20 grand into an envelope, to be kept in a pocket in my jacket as I take a harley off into the distance.  On the envelope full of cash would be written, "If I am dead, whoever picks this envelope up, for whatever reason, now owns this money.  Take a grand and bury me somewhere.  Make up a funny name as well as a crude limerick."

[DiabloTX]

In the early 90's I saw a news report on AIDS and if interviewed a 67 year old woman who had contracted the disease via blood transfusion.  She was very upset at having to deal with her situation, the fact that her life may be cut short.  I certainly felt for her situation, but I didn't empathise.  How can you be mad after 67 years?  I thought of the kids with terminal illnesses that won't see 10 years old, much less 67.  I've got 40 years in, some bad, some good, most great.  I don't think I'll ever be "ready to die" but at least I know I've outlived many who weren't even given the chance to really live.

[moot]

More than yesterday,
less than tomorrow..
Life and death go hand in hand.

[MrBill]

I will give up my life when they tear it from my cold dead fingers!

[Xargos]

If you ask yourself that question and then say to yourself you would do this or that, then your not living your life fully now.  You shouldn't need to change anything.

[Shamus]

I'm a fatalist, I figure when its time to die, you die.

Not to say that you cant mitigate risk, but some die young and some die old.

shamus

[Reschke]

If its my time then so be it. HOWEVER I hope that I get to see my children and wife before I go to the other side.

[Yeager]

If a doctor said to me "you have six months to live" I would immediately start drinking and smoking to make up for the last 20 years.

[moot]

Sort of off topic, but I thought this was a nice quote:

Th'earths face is but thy Table; there are set Plants, cattell, men, dishes for Death to eate. In a rude hunger now hee millions drawes Into his bloody, or plaguy, or sterv'd jawes.
-JOHN DONNE, "Elegie on M Boulstred"

[Halo]

Ask not for whom the bell tolls -- it tolls for thee.

[AquaShrimp]

If I thought I had to live in Kentucky and work the rest of my life, then yes, I would definately be ready to die.  

Florida here I come!