Falling Down a Chute to Oblivion
There was a time in my life–teens and twenties mostly–when death terrified me. I had occasional thoughts and nightmares about falling slowly down a chute to oblivion, all the while grasping at walls that were too sheer to provide any but a momentary delay. I haven’t been bothered by those thoughts for years. One of the nice things about growing older, if you do it right, is that your concerns broaden far beyond yourself. Having children helps. Making friends helps. Taking part in important work that engage you with ideas and people helps. All these are ways to connect to something beyond yourself, and something that will survive your death. And gradually you recognize that what truly defines you as a human being–the things you love–will survive your own death and that the part you have played in loving them will survive you as well. Those nightmares have come back,… Continue reading