Sunday, May 27, 2018

 

Sunday Reflection: "He died instantly"



On Friday, I was driving out of Detroit on I-94 (which pretty much takes me all the way back to my home in Minnesota) when I noticed something odd: There was no traffic coming the other way. There was no construction in the area, and nothing else to explain it. Then I got to a line of police cars blocking the entire interstate in the other direction, and what looked like debris and a body bag.

A motorcyclist had been speeding, and weaving between vehicles. He miscalculated one diagonal cut between vehicles, crashed, and died instantly. I was seeing the aftermath.

I've known people who have made choices like that-- to do something so risky that there was a pretty good chance of instant death. Some of those who make such a choice are applauded for it (soldiers, firefighters, extreme skiers), while others (people who rob a gas station, heroin users) are condemned for it. It is right to distinguish between the two groups, of course, but I think a common bond often unites them: they do not think that they will be the one to die.

But they do. They often die instantly.

But is it really instant? Or is there a brief moment of recognition, of what is happening? For some reason, I think there must be that slim sliver of time, of knowing.  The final heartbeat.

And what should be that last thought?



Comments:
I would lie to think that perhaps the final thought is of love and not regret. Especially if it was someone or a special pet you have loved.
 
I have often thought about how I would act as the elevator plunged freely to the bottom of the shaft.
We are all unique and will all have our own unique last thoughts. I already know how I would approach death as I have had a preview. How I would react is something I no longer have to be concerned with, which is a great blessing. I was not afraid nor in pain but a powerful feeling of helplessness engulfed me and made me whisper "please help me". Apparently I wanted more control over this final chapter. I was heard and revived. As a bonus I have now had an experience that makes life's end a little less scary. but I don't think that I can wait until that moment happens again to reveal all my most profound thoughts.
 
I have often thought about how I would act as the elevator plunged freely to the bottom of the shaft.
We are all unique and will all have our own unique last thoughts. I already know how I would approach death as I have had a preview. How I would react is something I no longer have to be concerned with, which is a great blessing. I was not afraid nor in pain but a powerful feeling of helplessness engulfed me and made me whisper "please help me". Apparently I wanted more control over this final chapter. I was heard and revived. As a bonus I have now had an experience that makes life's end a little less scary. but I don't think that I can wait until that moment to reveal all my most profound thoughts.
 
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