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Our news is constantly filled with the reality of
death and dying. And each of us, if we live long
enough, experiences the loss of persons we loved.
Children ages eight through ten were asked what they
thought about death, and these are some of their
answers:
"When you die, God takes care of you like your
mother did when you were alive - only God doesn’t
yell at you all the time."
"When you die, they bury you in the ground and your
soul goes to heaven, but your body can’t go to
heaven because it’s too crowded up there already."
"Only
the good people go to heaven. The other people go
where it’s hot all the time like in Florida."
"Maybe I’ll die someday, but I hope I don’t die on
my birthday because it’s no fun to celebrate your
birthday if you’re dead."
"I’m not afraid to die because I’m a Boy Scout."
"Doctors help you so you won’t die until you pay
their bills."
I’ve observed that the loss of a loved one can be
one of the most difficult things we humans can face.
And one of our greatest needs as we experience such
a loss is for simple, human comfort. I’ve known
friends of sick and dying people to sit by a bedside
or in a hospital room for hours, even days, at a
time. I’ve sometimes heard them offer words of
prayer. I’ve seen food in homes of people who are
dying overflow from kitchen to dining room - food
brought by comforting friends from church and
concerned neighbors. And I’ve observed friends to
just listen - for as long as it takes. Caring
friends are indispensable in times of trouble.
When U.S. Congressman Sam Rayburn (1882-1961)
discovered that he was ill, he announced to the
House of Representatives he was going home to Texas
for medical tests. Some wondered why he did not stay
in Washington where there were excellent medical
facilities. His answer was a beautiful tribute to
friendship: "Bonham is a place where people know it
when you're sick, and where they care when you die."
No one wants to go through difficult times alone. So
Rayburn traded the best of medical technology for
the closeness of loving friends. He knew that good
friends are good medicine. Often the best.
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Steve Goodier Publisher@LifeSupportSystem.com
is a professional speaker,
consultant and author of
numerous books. Visit his
site for more information,
or to sign up for his FREE
newsletter of Life, Love and
Laughter at http://LifeSupportSystem.com. |
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