365 Reflections on Death in General and Mine in Particular: A Year-Long Practice

A Year in the Death 1/1/21

My parents’ grave site in Hannahstown, PA

I’ve recently become fascinated with the subject of death — particularly my own. But before readers (especially friends and family members) jump to any conclusions: no, I am not dying.

Actually, I am.

So are you.

And so is every human being.

Confused? Let me be more precise.

I have not recently received a medical diagnosis of some terminal disease or illness with an associated projection of how much time I have left. On the contrary, I’m in some of the best shape of my life, enjoying a current state of health that most 56-year-old men would die for (pun intended).

Nor am I entertaining suicidal thoughts. On the contrary, I go to bed each night and wake each morning feeling as if I am the most blessed man on earth.

But I’m dying just the same.

So are you.

And so is every human being.

Still confused? Let me clarify further.

Although we don’t traditionally view it this way, the reality is that humans begin dying the moment they take their first breaths. For some, the process of dying takes only seconds or…