DEATH SUCKS!!!

The title says it all & if Mr. Grim Reaper keeps plucking away my loved ones in an untimely fashion I’m going to have to start learning some voodoo and figure out how to put an end to this madness.

Of course death sucks. Many of us fear death. When folks are older we often hear “they lived a full life” or “they’re no longer in pain” but does it take away the pain for those left behind? We still don’t get to see them ever again, or talk to them again, or even avoid them again if we’re not in the mood to chat. We don’t get to laugh at their silly quirks or get annoyed when they tell the same story for the 100th time. Plain and simple, the interactions are done. It can happen without warning. Alternatively it can happen in front of our eyes, after a long battle. Many of us are left wishing we said or did more while they were alive. Others have closure because they said goodbye before the last breath was taken.

Death is the one and only thing that we know is going to happen, yet we have no control over the timing. Yes, there are those that sadly choose to take their own lives, but even then I believe that they didn’t have control over that circumstance. Whether it be mental illness, or a consequence of bullying, abuse, or not being accepted, I feel it’s an ultimatum more than a choice.

When one experiences the passing of a child, teen or young adult, we are often left speechless. We feel many emotions simultaneously. For some, anger is first. We’re angry at god or just angry in general. How is it fair in any way for a child to pass. Whether they’re 5 or 45 the pain of losing your child is one that is unimaginable. Unfortunately, three of my Aunts/Uncles have experienced the loss of a child. It has to be quite numbing to say the least & I pray to never feel that pain. I hate that they have to be reminded of it every morning when they wake wishing it was all a bad dream. We ask ourselves…Why the young ones?!?! It’s not fair to them or those left behind!!

Last weekend two 12 year old volleyball players and their mothers died in a car crash on their way to a tournament. Kobe, his daughters, and 7 others also traveling to a tournament & in the blink of an eye, fate took them away. Why?! It’s quite confusing at times when you watch a car flip, catch on fire and basically get demolished in the Daytona 500 and that guy just walked out the hospital today. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for him and his family, but that example leaves us wondering…WHY! Why does Keith Richards, and several other hard core partying, smoking, drinking Rockers get to live a long life and my cousin(s) don’t! Is there a lesson to be learned here?!

We all have belief systems that help answer the “why” question. Wether it be that each of us is born with a number and that’s how many years we get, or God has a plan for us regardless of age, or maybe the Grim reaper snatches our soul when our body can no longer function. Our belief system helps us along the way, but we are changed for life. There is a hole that cannot be filled completely. Nonetheless, we cope and we go on living…because life is for living!

I came across THIS VIDEO while working on some business marketing. It brought me to tears but is spot on in how I imagine what all of my loved ones would be saying to me if they could, after they’re gone.

Us Dixon’s know how to live life to its fullest – maybe to much at times ? But the reality is that when it comes to death, we cannot dwell or let it affect our lives negatively. It SUCKS, but we have to live our lives and enjoy every moment with those left to share our time.

Yesterday I found myself overwhelmed with life…work, kids, etc and had to stop and take a step back and remind myself that “it could always be worse” and “life is for living”. It’s not for complaining, being irritable, sad or depressed! It’s for hugs, happiness, and success. So when I have a moment of sadness or missing one of my (many) relatives that have passed, I’m trying my best to think of something funny or positive about that person and remember that they may be gone physically, but never out of heart or mind.