When the man knew his time was coming, he called his entire tribe to a grand celebration. Special garments were made from the finest materials, and each woman of the tribe added her special gift to the garments, in the form of a prized bead or object, intricate stitchery, dyes, woven designs and the like. A sash was also made which told the story of his life from birth, through boyhood, to his marriage and family to his contribution and status in the tribe - right up until the grand event.
The man donned his special garments and was the guest of honor at the celebration, which lasted for many days. There was dancing and great feasting and many stories. The man himself told stories as did the tribe members and the children listened with wide eyed wonder. There was much laughter and celebration, and the highlight of the celebration was the gifts.
As the man knew he wouldn't be in the world much longer, he no longer needed his material possessions, so he carefully chose new owners for his things and bestowed these precious gifts upon his family and other members of the tribe. Everyone from the oldest to the youngest received some special item from the man, and all were delighted.
After the celebration was done the man went quietly into his teepee and lay down to sleep, smiling as he drifted into dreamland because he knew he wouldn't return to the earth world the next morning. Sometime during the night he was overwhelmed with love for his life, his people and his world, and his heart overflowed and burst, freeing his spirit to go on.
The man donned his special garments and was the guest of honor at the celebration, which lasted for many days. There was dancing and great feasting and many stories. The man himself told stories as did the tribe members and the children listened with wide eyed wonder. There was much laughter and celebration, and the highlight of the celebration was the gifts.
As the man knew he wouldn't be in the world much longer, he no longer needed his material possessions, so he carefully chose new owners for his things and bestowed these precious gifts upon his family and other members of the tribe. Everyone from the oldest to the youngest received some special item from the man, and all were delighted.
After the celebration was done the man went quietly into his teepee and lay down to sleep, smiling as he drifted into dreamland because he knew he wouldn't return to the earth world the next morning. Sometime during the night he was overwhelmed with love for his life, his people and his world, and his heart overflowed and burst, freeing his spirit to go on.
To me this is the way we should die. It should be a joyful occasion, a celebration of life, and a time spent with those we love in happiness and peace. Death, like life, is a transition to another plane of existence and can be joyful.
I've had the occasion to witness several deaths and I've seen people exit this word in very beautiful as well as extremely painful, lonely and sad ways. It makes me sad for those who miss out on a beautiful dying experience.
What do you think?
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