Death, and Life.

My mother called me this evening to tell me an old family friend had died. My first thought was that it didn't surprise me. She had been sick most of the 30 years I had know her. But then my next reaction was that I felt bad for her two children. It is for selfish reasons, and I am not ashamed to admit that.

My Mom and Dad are now in there 60's. My dad I believe is 68, and my mom something like 65. I really am not sure, but I will say that they are getting up there.

I have lost a few people over the years, but not anyone close to me. The family members that I have lost; aunts, uncles, and grandparents. I have not been very close to. In some cases I hardly knew them. But in all cases, I feel for the survivors. I do not look forward to outliving any of my family. I fear the death of my children, and do not look forward to my parents death.

We all die, and we all have to pay taxes. I have recently really fallen in love with two Latin phrases. And both of them are applicable here. Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero, and then the phrase memento mori.

The first can be translated as; seize the day, trust as little as possible in the future. Carpe actually has many translations, like a lot of Latin words. It depends on the context. It is common to be translated as seize, but it also can mean enjoy. In that seance, it can mean, and translated as enjoy the day, as life is temporary.

Memento Mori, it is translated as; remember that you are mortal.

I have been trying to remember to enjoy life, and not dwell on the negative aspect of my past and future. The more I think like this, the more tomorrow doesn't look so dark.