Dear Friend Death

For most of us, death is a frightening truth. It is both impending and a reality that precedes even our birth.

 

It frightens us because of its mysterious methods of arriving. Is it going to hurt? Will there be blood? Will it be gradual or abrupt, gentle or harsh?

 

Nobody knows.

 

Nobody can tell.

 

Our lives could last 20, 40, 60, or even more years. One thing is certain: it wasn't meant to be eternal. And throughout our brief visit, we must appreciate and live life to the fullest, even though our actual reward for living well lies beyond this life.

 

Only death, however perplexing, can offer us the opportunity to earn that reward.

 

Our mortal existence is too short to be concerned about death, but it is long enough to be blessed with the gifts of hope and love.

 

These lovely gifts, on the other hand, cause us to cling to life even longer, heightening our fear of death.

 

Ironically, the one friend we have who can put a stop to this fear is death. 

This friend could transport us to a better place: the place where all other death-fearing people wished to go; the place where all hopes came from; the place where love can no longer be a source of pain and suffering; and the place where death will at last meet its final fate to live with us forever in the embrace of the Author of life and death.