What is death?

Lately, it's been hard to poke fun at people. A disaster like that helicopter crash can take the good out of life. There wasn't family of mine in that crash, but I still feel for the families of the lost ones. It's always been like that in the outports. In fact, the outports of this island are like one big family of brothers and sisters. The Capital, St. John's, is just a cousin.
What is death? We all have a different way of looking at it. It is a well-known fact, we are born to die. Yet, we grieve when we lose a loved one. Why?
I never did fear death, because death is nothing to be feared. It is the method of death that I'm afraid off. Throughout my life, I have seen many people die a long lingering death. This should never be. No male or female, who has lived a good life, should die that way. If they want to leave this world, then measures should be taken to ensure that they go fast.
I asked the question, what is death? Is it a long sleep? Will we be resurrected sometime in the future and live in a better world? The answer to those questions depends upon your beliefs. Some people believe in life after death. Will the politicians come back from the dead? If they do, God will have his hands full dealing with Hitler, Saddam and Joey Smallwood.
My late uncle told me before he died, if there was any way of getting back, he would let me know. Now, he's been dead for over 40 years and I still haven't heard from him
I grew up listening to my grandmother telling me about the Devil and Hell. She told me many times, if I wasn't a good boy, the Devil would get me and I would burn in Hell.
Hmmm, back then, the weather was so cold, a lot of us looked forward to going to Hell.
I always read the Bible. In fact, I have read it many times. After I got older and finished sowing my wild oats, I started studying the Good Book. I soon found out that there was a Hell, but it wasn't a burning place for the bad ones.
You see, when Jesus died, he went to Hell first. Now, does this tell you anything? Well, I tell you. Hell is the grave. According to the Good Book, Jesus was a good man. Why did his soul have to visit the Devil's lair?
When life departs from our bodies, our empty shell is sent to rest in peace. It could be the grave on earth or the grave at sea. Some might want to be cremated. I do. When I die, it would be wonderful if I get cremated and my ashes scattered around the lawn in front of the Confederation Building. Why not? I might get to haunt a future Premier.
Haunting is another thing that is linked to death. Do you believe in ghosts? Now when I was a boy, I was forever listening to ghost stories. In fact, when I went to bed, I used to look under my bed before I turned off the light. There could be a boogieman there.
My dog always went to bed with me. One night it struck me. If there was a ghost, my dog would know. Right then and there, my beliefs in ghosts were tossed in the chamber pot.
Nobody comes back as a ghost or a token. All this is just a part of people's imagination. You can make your mind believe anything. All my life, I have been hearing people say that they saw the ghost of this one or a token of this one. My god, I'm a writer with a strong imagination, but never have I seen a ghost.
But after life leaves your body, you are still with those who love and care for you. Yes, the memories never die quickly. They just fade away.
To those who lost family or friends in that helicopter crash, may their memories be always with you. And may God be in your minds during those troubles times.