Frequent meditation on inevitable death has a long history, and I have subscribed to it in a dabbling manner since college, and what I thought was an earnest fashion for the last few years. However, the SARS-CoV‑2/COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic, and the half-assed, ham-fisted, lackluster, erratic, uncoordinated, and criminally incompetent response to it has made this meditation somewhat easier to perform.
Thinking about death and preparing for it is much more present and relevant when it could be around the next turn in the road.
I recently had a realization because of this. If I die, the only regret I’ll have is that I am no longer around to love the people who need and value my love. Nothing else in this world is in my control, and there is nothing I contribute to this existence more important than the love I give to kith and kin.
When I’m gone, I won’t be able to love them anymore & they won’t be able to receive it. That loss hurts preemptively.
Stay safe, live with dignity, love hard, die well.
