Til Death due us Part

[Marlene Anne Sassaman]

One never knows for certain if and when they will see another.  Life is a precious phenomenon. It has been said that living guarantees death. This is not to present a negative, depressing train of thought. Rather, it is meant to reiterate the sadness, guilt, and despair that can result when a loved one passes from the world of the living to a world the living knows little about.

Years ago I read a book. A question was posed. "What happens to a mind when a person dies. During life we accumulate an infinite number of ideas. Where do all the thoughts go? Do they disintegrate along with the more tangible blood vessels, dendrites, neurons, electrons, or protons?

What I know is that the death of a loved one leaves irreverent pain. While it may subside and may become intermittent, it can also be persistent. Learning to let emotional pain drift out of the body might take practice. There is an excellent book by Michael Singer that suggests a simplistic way to accept then dislodge pain that invades our soul.  One's attitude about accepting or rejecting pain plays an important part.

My dearest sailing friend now lives with the pain of her daughter's death. The hurt I feel is knowing my friend is suffering. There is no magic cure. For the rest of her life she will awaken each day to a terrible loss.  She will fall asleep wondering about the life she brought into the world. It is a painful loss. 

This blog entry is to remind everyone that you cannot know if you will ever see someone again. Whether it is a mate going on an errand, a sailor heading out to sea, or a sick relative. In fact, you don't even know for certain if you will awake to see another day. So, be sure to treat your loved ones and aqaintances with kindness. Supposedly it takes a second to be kind, and two seconds to be mean. Save time, give your kindness away. If you love someone tell them. If you miss them tell them. A smile goes a long way. Personal notes are cherished.

Sleep well and waken with a renewed sense of happiness. For it is the sad events that make create the real joy of better times. Just remember, you never know.....just as I didn't know this happy looking gent would leave this world when he did. Nearly five years after his death I still cry almost every day, and every single day I spend time contemplating the wonder of it all. Metaphorically or for real, I bid you fair winds and a following sea...sail on.