So the guy that drove me home from the car service station this morning told me his father died last night. Then he proceeded to talk about how there is no death leave at his work and how that is bullshit so now he has to take vacation. Then he lets me know that he's fine with the death -- knew it was coming, used to be a fireman and bagged bodies of children, had a nephew die of leukemia, his Grandfather died 2 year's back. And then he also reassured me that this wasn't a trend in his family. Just a string of death's lately.
He discussed some of the problematic logistics of flying on short notice. I suggested driving and he seemed genuinely impressed with the suggestion (uh, it's just to Boston), so that way his kids could go too. He said, sort of put out, "They're probably going to want to go."
It's just amazing to me how people deal differently with death. I have never had anyone close to me die. Can you believe that? I'm 33. Because of this I imagine the experience of grief as terrifying and horrible. Also, with death being so FINAL and all, I tend to also imagine that feelings in death are simple and black. Of course, I know they're very messy and this awkward conversation gave me an honest glimpse of that reality.
He discussed some of the problematic logistics of flying on short notice. I suggested driving and he seemed genuinely impressed with the suggestion (uh, it's just to Boston), so that way his kids could go too. He said, sort of put out, "They're probably going to want to go."
It's just amazing to me how people deal differently with death. I have never had anyone close to me die. Can you believe that? I'm 33. Because of this I imagine the experience of grief as terrifying and horrible. Also, with death being so FINAL and all, I tend to also imagine that feelings in death are simple and black. Of course, I know they're very messy and this awkward conversation gave me an honest glimpse of that reality.
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