This touched me--thank you @rtw. My first husband died after surgery when he was 36. That was thirty years ago. His death did help me prepare for mine--he was a cheerful curious person, stoic about pain, and generally unworried. I did wish he'd talked more about how he felt--and asked me too. So I've been very direct with my second husband on the subjects of illness and death. I continue to learn from my first husband through memory, journaling, and being with our now grown daughter. Am thinking of you.

@rtw Bless you for finding the gifts inherent in tragedy, there are many. My condolences for your loss. I do believe we can prepare, especially if we are given the gift of time. And meet it peacefully, and possibly joyously. I feel sad for the people who are not really living their best life, because they so fear dying. I'll probably misquote Brother Lawrence here, but he said, in essence; "you have to know dying, before you can truly live." Now, you know, and from there you learn. It's kind of part of a continuum, yes? Using his journey to inform yours. I bet he'd like that. Peace and Every Good!