Death and all of his friends

When one has time to think freely and openly, over a long enough timeline, the possibility of death peeks its head out of some distant forgotten corner of the mind. Not thoughts and contemplations of suicide, or even how one might die, but something different: One might stand with a mental Rolodex of their life's memories and rifle through them, good and bad together, as one whose life may end sooner than they think. It's not something individuals ever talk about, but I am sure that it has conceivably crossed everyone's mind.

What would my mom/wife/husband/dad do without me around?

How would they be alright/able to cope?

In what way would they remember me?

Would they feed my cat?

The old civilizations of the world celebrated the separation of life and spirit from mortal body that we know as death. They congratulated those who had ended their time on this planet and moved on to some higher level of existence. The afterlife, after all, if presented to be glorious and at least, in one way or another, an improvement on our experience here on Earth is without a doubt something to celebrate achieving. I mean, let's be honest: Death is certain. But a lot of people on our planet today are too smart for the 'afterlife' school of thought.

I have specific feelings about my life as it has evolved to this juncture in time. I value my time on Earth, and when my Father wants me back, it will happen. I love my wife and daughter, my family, my friends, my job. I love my car. Life is a wonderful thing.