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and all i can think about was how he died.

he was fine. he was old, 90 to be exact. He fell and was admitted to the hospital two weeks ago.

He went into the hospital, was given pain medication. He then developed intestinal issues from the pain meds, very common. He told the doctors not to treat because he wanted to see his wife in the afterlife.

He was a very nice man, i can't say a mean thing about him. And yet he was doing fine. Its almost like he lost the will to live. I haven't dealt with a lot of death so it might just be my inexperience.

I find it odd that in this day and age of medical science he chose to die in order to fulfill a fairy tale instead of sticking around.

That does sum up one reason people love religion. People feel the need to live forever in some sense. Or to have some comfort that they will be fine, even if/when they die. I personaly feel that an afterlife would cheapen this entire meaning of existance. to live forever would make this short life meaningless. Its like going into the worlds largest mall with 100 bucks. You will budget very carefully, and enjoy every part of shopping and what you eventualy buy. But if you have unlimited funds....what fun is anything after a very short while?

I would hope that there is no afterlife. That i would be able to finaly rest from existance in general with the complete oblivion of non-existance. That to me is final rest and reward. Not the ability to work even more.

Vegas,

I have no words of wisdom to offer here. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for your loss.

Jersey Girl

VegasRefugee wrote:and all i can think about was how he died.

he was fine. he was old, 90 to be exact. He fell and was admitted to the hospital two weeks ago.

He went into the hospital, was given pain medication. He then developed intestinal issues from the pain meds, very common. He told the doctors not to treat because he wanted to see his wife in the afterlife.

He was a very nice man, i can't say a mean thing about him. And yet he was doing fine. Its almost like he lost the will to live. I haven't dealt with a lot of death so it might just be my inexperience.

I find it odd that in this day and age of medical science he chose to die in order to fulfill a fairy tale instead of sticking around.

I have a few elderly people in my life and consequently spend some time in a nursing home, and one thing I've learned is this, that old people fall and die soon thereafter, and we suppose that they declined because of the fall, but actually it's likely the case that they were already in decline and that's the reason they fell. The man may have seemed fine, but he was 90 years old and bodies usually wear out faster than that. I'd rather assume that he was simply willing to accept the inevitable rather than losing the will to live. He was lucky to not spend a number of his later years as an invalid and/or mentally incompetent, that's my view anyway. I hope he is enjoying his afterlife, whatever it may be, and if there is one ... my condolences.

VegasRefugee wrote:and all i can think about was how he died.

he was fine. he was old, 90 to be exact. He fell and was admitted to the hospital two weeks ago.

He went into the hospital, was given pain medication. He then developed intestinal issues from the pain meds, very common. He told the doctors not to treat because he wanted to see his wife in the afterlife.

He was a very nice man, i can't say a mean thing about him. And yet he was doing fine. Its almost like he lost the will to live. I haven't dealt with a lot of death so it might just be my inexperience.

I find it odd that in this day and age of medical science he chose to die in order to fulfill a fairy tale instead of sticking around.

I'm sorry for your loss.

It sounds like your wife's grandfather simply missed his wife. In reasoning things out in his own mind, he was old, he wanted to be with his wife again, and he truly believed that death was a gateway to see her again.

Vegas, I know that you have strong feelings against the Church, but do you believe in life after death? If this is too painful a time to talk about this, I understand. I just don't think that abandoning Mormonism needs to mean that you have to abandon all beliefs of a higher power, and a life to come after this one.

It's ok to take comfort in thinking about them being together now. It also sounds like he did live a full life with a wonderful legacy.

For what it's worth, my prayers are with you. I lost my grandparents a few years ago.

How is your wife holding up? My condolences.

Some people just don't want medicine to keep them hanging on. The man was 90, after a while you just want to move onto what you feel is next.

My thoughts are with you and your wife.

Condolences and thoughts of comfort to all...

I have been with a few elderly folks when they have passed on. I think many of us just get to a point where they are tired of living.

Elderly people are often in pain, they can't see/hear/taste/smell as they once did. They have a more difficult time getting around; feel dependent on others; feel their minds are not quite as sharp as they once were. They may be lonely. Living becomes very difficult and less enjoyable for many elderly folks.

Personally I think it is as if nature provided a way to make death less difficult... people sort of just want to be done when they feel they have lived their life. They feel ready to move on regardless of what is ahead.

Hugs to all,

~dancer~

GIMR wrote:How is your wife holding up? My condolences.

Some people just don't want medicine to keep them hanging on. The man was 90, after a while you just want to move onto what you feel is next.

My thoughts are with you and your wife.

Surprisingly well...or worryingly unconcerned.

liz3564 wrote:
Vegas, I know that you have strong feelings against the Church, but do you believe in life after death? If this is too painful a time to talk about this, I understand. I just don't think that abandoning Mormonism needs to mean that you have to abandon all beliefs of a higher power, and a life to come after this one.

Leave it up to a believer to whore for the god delusion at a time like this.

liz3564 wrote:It's ok to take comfort in thinking about them being together now.

Take comfort in what? A fairy tale used to convince others that everything is going to be allright? In addition to giving authority to undeserving leeches because said leeches can make up a story on what happens after you die? Given that no one knows whats on the other side, if anything, I doubt that smoking the opium of religious stories to "take comfort in" is a healthy practice.

Sorry, but the evidence is not there. Not for your myth, not for the Buhdist afterlife myth, not for the raelian myth. No one knows, especially a jackass looking at rocks in hats.

liz3564 wrote:It also sounds like he did live a full life with a wonderful legacy.

Yep

liz3564 wrote:For what it's worth, my prayers are with you. I lost my grandparents a few years ago.

Don't pray for me, pray for my wifes comfort.

VegasRefugee wrote:

liz3564 wrote:
Vegas, I know that you have strong feelings against the Church, but do you believe in life after death? If this is too painful a time to talk about this, I understand. I just don't think that abandoning Mormonism needs to mean that you have to abandon all beliefs of a higher power, and a life to come after this one.

Leave it up to a believer to whore for the god delusion at a time like this.

I apologize. That really wasn't what I was trying to do. If it came across that way, again, I sincerely apologize. Since my verdict is still out about what to believe and what not to believe, I have a lot of mixed feeling surrounding this. I have lost loved ones, and honestly do hope that there is some type of afterlife because I do miss them, and would love to someday see them again. For me, believing that something exists beyond our time here does give me a sense of comfort. I think that is a big part of what religion does.

I honestly did not know your stance on life after death, which is why I asked the question. However, I agree. The timing was inappropriate. Again, I apologize.

I do hope that things go well for you, your wife, and your family during this difficult time.