the best way to die.

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Wayno

Big Wall climber

Seattle, WA

Dec 24, 2010 - 03:56am PT

It shouldn't get any better than that.

Paul Martzen

Trad climber

Fresno

Dec 24, 2010 - 01:02pm PT

My maternal grandparents were very practical, conservative, down to earth people. They were respected pillars of our community and our church. They seemed to be a pretty perfect match in their outlook and manner. In their late 80's my grandfather became too weak to work and thus began a rapid decline. He sat in the house and watched TV mostly. He became susceptible to illness and pneumonia took him. It seemed to me that once he could not physically work, that he lost his purpose.

My grandmother collapsed shortly after the funeral and was hospitalized. She seemed to make a good recovery though and started making plans, giving directions to the family and such. But 6 months after her husband passed, her liver failed. Her belly puffed up horribly and she was in excruciating pain. They gave her as much morphine as allowable. It must have reduced the pain somewhat, but I could not tell. Her body shuddered and shook with the agony. She opened her eyes at one point and saw me, looked directly at me. Reached out with her hand. I took her hand in my hand and she grasped me strongly. She looked at me, seriously, maybe with a bit of gratitude. I saw no fear, just acknowledging me, touching me. But only for a moment, till another spasm of agony swept over her. She let go of me and clenched her eyes. She was busy. She was busy for a full week before she finally failed and died.

I had never fully realized what a strong and courageous woman she was till I watched her die.

jstan

climber

Dec 24, 2010 - 02:16pm PT

I think I now understand Lester Germer's choice. He suffered a massive coronary while climbing over a ceiling. He had been ill that morning but climbed anyway.

He had been a fighter pilot in WWI. When he found he had coronary disease he had to have decided intervention would make him something less than himself. Better to forge on and let the de'il take the hindmost.

Captain...or Skully

Big Wall climber

leading the away team, but not in a red shirt!

Dec 24, 2010 - 02:32pm PT

Word.
Quality over quantity. You wanna live forever?
I think not.

Norwegian

Trad climber

dancin on the tip of god's middle finger

Topic Author's Reply - Aug 17, 2014 - 08:10pm PT

clobbered by an errant breast,
period

cintune

climber

The Utility Muffin Research Kitchen

Aug 17, 2014 - 08:22pm PT

After spending an afternoon visiting at an Alzheimer's home, I'm thinking hypothermia might be not so bad. Just wander off into the woods some snowy night, sit down and wait.

FRUMY

Trad climber

Bishop,CA

Aug 17, 2014 - 08:24pm PT

For a man there real is only one way to go out ----- being hit by a beer truck with beer in hand.

Wild beast #2 in my book.

Although Denny Hulme & Bob Kamps did it the way a champion should.

BLUEBLOCR

Social climber

joshua tree

Aug 17, 2014 - 08:31pm PT

^ whats that
getin hit by a drunkin drivr
wile cross ing 50
win drunk?

i rather
free solo
travelers
to the top
sit down
at the bottom
of a ponder osa
take off those
tight shoes
spark 3 fattys
fall asleep
call it good
at 109yo

Moof

Big Wall climber

Orygun

Aug 17, 2014 - 09:00pm PT

I want to die from a heart attack under a hooker on top of a grand piano.

jstan

climber

Aug 17, 2014 - 09:51pm PT

(Nearly) All things a person will say when convinced they will live forever.

A realistic answer?

I'd prefer to die a week later.

WyoRockMan

climber

Flank of the Big Horns

Aug 17, 2014 - 10:54pm PT

Quietly, like my grandfather.

Not screaming like the passengers in his car.

Wayno

Big Wall climber

Seattle, WA

Aug 17, 2014 - 11:02pm PT

Dead people don't have any fun.

Dead bodies aren't much
fun either.

SeanH

Trad climber

SLC

Aug 18, 2014 - 12:11am PT

After asking if the go pro is on.

coolrockclimberguy69

climber

Aug 18, 2014 - 12:15am PT

Leg/thigh choke-hold by "Rowdy" Rhonda Rousey. The sweatier, the better.

Anastasia

climber

Home

Aug 18, 2014 - 12:44am PT

Funny...

I was remembering my parents today and the fear of death hit me hard. I don't want to let go and yet with each glorious day, my death comes closer. How I want to die? Honestly, I want to be unaware that I am dying. I would hate to linger, to feel it taking me. Yes, I find it extremely scary. Yet what scares me more is to be alive after the loss of a child, of a great love, having to live without them. That's a whole lot harsher.

Now the best way to die is to be unafraid, content with one's life "and death," surrounded by love and appreciation. To know that what you love will keep flourishing, doing well without you because you did love them well enough. I like that idea.

AFS