A Courageous Exit

I just got back from the funerals of two of my aunts. That is not to say that either death was unexpected considering their advanced ages. Unfortunately, it seems that my favourite aunt bought it this time, so I guess I'm a bit less than happy about the whole affair. Then again, I've never really viewed death as an entirely bad thing, so I'm not overly bothered either. It happens when it happens.

To me, she's managed to finish her life with an aesthetic that I would love to emulate were it possible. First, she was cogent throughout her life, and never did go senile. In short, she was of sound mind even on her death bed. Now, I generally find it unsatisfying when one dies a straw death. Undoubtedly, that's how she went. But what's most important is that she went to it with her eyes open. Even when she was critically weakening, she was stubborn enough not to want to go to the hospital. When her body was failing, she did not flinch. I like that. It's probably as close to dying with a sword in hand as it gets, in the modern day.

The background here, is that she was not in the best of health, and really only lived this long because of some invasive medical procedures. In fact, she did not want those back then, but they were pretty much imposed on her. Now, given a second chance to skip the medical nastiness, she finally found her exit. There were indications that she did not expect her end to be this near, and relatives who visited scarce days before found her to be greatly improved from back when she was ailing. Regardless of the outlook at the time, I think it sweet that her children chose to honor her wishes this time round, and let nature take its course without rushing her to hospital and forcing her to continue living a half life. My aunt, I honor you. Rest in peace, and know that your exit was thoroughly graceful. See...that's why she's my favourite =p