What is Death?

Living with Death
by Jeff j, NSW
student, Aged 55

For the last 20 years I have lived with the threat of death. I was diagnosed HIV+ in 1984 and told I would be dead within 2 years. Fortunately I refused to believe this. I now live a full and reasonably healthy life. I have, however, over the past 20 years helped care for and been with many friends as they died. Each death is a unique experience but all who I have seen die ended with a look of peace and resignation. But what is it about death that can bring out the worst in those that are left living. Family squabbling about possessions,whats to happen to the body and who is suitable to have at the funeral? I have seen men who have supported & cared for their loved one for many years shunned by a family who had not participated in any way in the last years of the deceased's life. It seems to me that death brings out the very best and the very worst in us.

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