Death: An Important “Specialty”

WED., OCT. 7, 1998, 10:39 AM
OFFICE, PULLIAM

The oral just concluded was evidence, again, of the importance of having death education in the health education curriculum. You were responsible for this inclusion, and you should feel some pride in this innovation. The acceptance of it as a legitimate learning experience is now rather well accepted, certainly more so than was the case 22 years ago, when you taught that first course. And it was appropriate that this was the last class you taught, now over a year ago.

All through the years of Our “time together” I have had comments… and full Teachings… on this aspect of life. After this morning’s “immersion” you should expect some more comments from Me. I won’t disappoint you.

Death is fundamentally mystical. Why? Because it certainly is real that people die… and it also is real, in another sense, that it is merely a transition from one mode of life to another. One reality is the body, functioning as a living phenomenon. There is a clear difference between the body in vibrant health and the body just barely functioning on a full life support system. Yet there is often a transition time between these extremes.

You are beginning to experience such a time now. Your legs and feet don’t work together the way they once did… say, as a quarter-miler in your teens and 20’s. Your left hand is crippled in some frustrating ways. Your blood pressure is often too high to be counted as “healthy”. You have cancer cells that are not “taking over” yet, but you’re not sure what prevents this. Your forgetfulness increases, with more experiences (and names) forgotten than in younger years, temporarily or… far longer. (Now you remember Cyd!)