What are your thoughts on the concept of living a very long life?

This prompt came at an interesting time in my life. My mother-in-law came to our home for hospice in November and passed away the day after her birthday in January. A week later, a best friend of mine from elementary school lost her daughter at the age of 21. 

 

My mother-in-law lived a full life but at the end the quality really sucked. She had traveled the world, graduated from Cal Berkeley, had her own business, raised children and grandchildren, and could take care of her parents at their end. While on hospice, she was sitting on our front porch smoking a cigarette, and she got to witness my daughter (her youngest grandchild) learn to ride a bike. Where does that moment fall on the quantity vs quality scale? 

 

My friend’s daughter was chronically ill and lived the majority of her life in medical facilities. I imagine she wanted the most time possible, even though I wouldn’t consider it quality. It’s all she knew. Asiya had a tooth diamond and a matching tattoo with her mom and someone else. Her brother loved her dearly, and they did things as a family any chance they got. She posted most often about her mother’s cooking on her Instagram. 

When I reflect on these two lives that came to an end in the same month of the same year. It becomes more apparent that love is the answer, short or long, love makes it all worth it.  The longer I live, the more I realize nothing is black and white. It’s just one giant sliding scale from white to black, and life is lived in the grey. Perspective is everything and I truly believe if you are looking for joy you will find it, even in the crappiest of situations. 

 

PS: While we are on the topic, it is blowing my mind all of the people who work in the “human death industry” ; that is a thought for another post.