Thursday Threesome

(Link at left)
Death

1. Have you ever lost anyone really close to you? (Yes, it's possible to get into your 30s or higher I suppose without losing someone close). If so, who?

My grandmothers both died within two years of each other when I was under 10 (don't remember the exact year, too lazy to check). A friend from church my age died when I was 17, and another acquaintance at school died that year too. Then I think I had a long good stretch until my dad and my sister died at the end of 1994. There've been several family and church friends since then. And of course, Nathanael on 12/31/06.

2. How do you deal with the death of someone you knew (close or not)?

I do better if I have time to adjust to it ahead of time. I don't do well with sudden death, certainly not long-term (in other words, I handle it immediately, but then it comes around and bites me for a long time afterwards). And it bothers me a great deal if it's someone young, or if death was--at least by my judgment--avoidable.

3. What are your thoughts on suicide? Do you think it's a (for a lack of a better term) 'correct' way to go? Why/why not?

I think it's selfish. However, for someone who is terminally ill and prefers to exit on his/her own terms, as long as there is planning and forethought, I understand it.