A time to be born and a time to die...

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;

a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;

a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 lays it out pretty cut and dry that there is a time and season for everything, including death.

As far back as I can remember, I've held the belief that whenever it's my time to go, I'll go. I don't fear death, because I see it as more of a new beginning than the end of everything.

Within the last month, we've had two family members die in quick succession; one great grandmother (94 years) and one great-great-aunt (80 years), both well advanced in years and both in poor health the last years of their lives.

Rather than feeling sad and lamenting over their deaths, I find myself happy and rejoicing for them; their pain is over and their suffering is through! The troubles of this life are over for them.

I guess to some it would be strange to be okay with death, but I've got news for you folks, we're all going to die one day and quality of life is kind of a big deal. Who would want to live to be a hundred if they're incapacitated in every way and in constant pain? Definitely incentive to respect and care for the one human meat suit you've been blessed with.  

~thankful for every moment with them, and grateful the Good Lord took them home in His time.
Delanie