Facebook posts after death. How news travels..
A former co-worker just posted that a FB friend of his had died. I click on the link to the deceased's FB page. Young guy, no apparent health problems, maybe I should check the newspaper..
Earlier in my FB feed, I saw the lovely description of an elderly woman, her family singing her favorite songs, as she peacefully passed away. There will be a link to the obituary, and well wishes, memories coming in from friends and family.
In this electronic age, the news of a death travels in interesting ways. I've never met either of these people, but I've feeling a grief for the people who loved them.
When my father and sister died, I ran into friends/acquaintances that didn't know. One distant cousin called several months after my father's death, concerned that he hadn't called her recently. Some Internet friends were notified after I broke into my sister's game account.
I think of all these things as I wonder how the news of my death will travel. Facebook friends will know quickly. These include my knitting non-local knitting friends, former co-workers, Sarcoma groups, and FB Criminal Case players. I've got a list of people/places to call. Some people will find out at the next sci-fi convention, or over a gaming table.
At 57 (later this year), it is not a surprise that I die. Several of my contemporaries have already passed. I won't win the oldest surviving graduate. And I feel time ticking in the background.
When I broke my ankle several Saturdays ago, I lay on the floor feeling grateful for the timing, and concerned about the future. So many older people break a hip and end up in a skilled nursing home. I knew this would stop the chemo, at least for a few weeks (at this point a total of six weeks). I worried that I could end up dying sooner due to the break. For a few dark moments, I was worried that this was the end. Several years ago, a co-worker broke her ankle (in a similar way), had surgery, and rehabbed for several months. Lying on the floor, I counted out the months. How long until I can get back to walking. Worse, I was staring from a debilitated state. Since November, when I had a cold, I've been sitting and sleeping too much. I can't walk a block. Heck, walking to the end of the driveway (the length of a car) and I'm panting.
So I walk a little farther each day. I keep doing the exercises recommended by my ortho surgeon. I'm getting better by inches.
Earlier in my FB feed, I saw the lovely description of an elderly woman, her family singing her favorite songs, as she peacefully passed away. There will be a link to the obituary, and well wishes, memories coming in from friends and family.
In this electronic age, the news of a death travels in interesting ways. I've never met either of these people, but I've feeling a grief for the people who loved them.
When my father and sister died, I ran into friends/acquaintances that didn't know. One distant cousin called several months after my father's death, concerned that he hadn't called her recently. Some Internet friends were notified after I broke into my sister's game account.
I think of all these things as I wonder how the news of my death will travel. Facebook friends will know quickly. These include my knitting non-local knitting friends, former co-workers, Sarcoma groups, and FB Criminal Case players. I've got a list of people/places to call. Some people will find out at the next sci-fi convention, or over a gaming table.
At 57 (later this year), it is not a surprise that I die. Several of my contemporaries have already passed. I won't win the oldest surviving graduate. And I feel time ticking in the background.
When I broke my ankle several Saturdays ago, I lay on the floor feeling grateful for the timing, and concerned about the future. So many older people break a hip and end up in a skilled nursing home. I knew this would stop the chemo, at least for a few weeks (at this point a total of six weeks). I worried that I could end up dying sooner due to the break. For a few dark moments, I was worried that this was the end. Several years ago, a co-worker broke her ankle (in a similar way), had surgery, and rehabbed for several months. Lying on the floor, I counted out the months. How long until I can get back to walking. Worse, I was staring from a debilitated state. Since November, when I had a cold, I've been sitting and sleeping too much. I can't walk a block. Heck, walking to the end of the driveway (the length of a car) and I'm panting.
So I walk a little farther each day. I keep doing the exercises recommended by my ortho surgeon. I'm getting better by inches.
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