Are you ready to die? That might sound a trifle maudlin, but it’s an important question. I don’t mean “would you like to die?”. I guess there are not too many people in that category. But with thousands of people dying prematurely, some very prematurely, thanks to Covid 19, it’s a pertinent inquiry. There are so many aspects to being “ready”. For instance, have you written a will? Is it up to date? Have you tidied up your affairs; all those outstanding little things that you’ve been meaning to do and would be a right pain in the arse for your loved one to resolve? Have you told your partner about all your investments and secret little stashes of gold that he/she may not be aware of? Have you got rid of all those old love letters from previous boy/girlfriends that you kept for sentimental reasons that your partner might find rather distressing as they go through your belongings?
Equally or perhaps even more importantly, are you ready psychologically? Have you said all the things you wanted to say to your partner and children and other friends and loved ones. Or will you be lying there in intensive care thinking “bugger, I meant to tell old Henry how much I’ve cherished his love and friendship all these years and never told him”? Hopefully, even if you do catch Covid, it will be mild and you will live to fight another day or three; but…..
Then there’s the equally important issue of “have you done everything you wanted to in life?” Have you sailed the seven seas, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, bungee jumped in New Zealand, rowed single-handed across the Atlantic, swum The Channel, got your private pilot’s licence, jumped from 12,000 feet….preferably with a parachute on, hell-skied in the Canadian Rockies, played on the Old Course at St Andrews, shot rapids in the Grand Canyon, played on the lawns at Wimbledon, learnt to paint, or play the piano or trumpet or sax. Are there any achievable ambitions left? If not, I reckon you’re ready to depart this mortal coil; assuming of course that you’ve met all the other requirements too!
I confess I can tick a number of items on the above lists, but there are far too many unresolved issues. The more inquisitive amongst you might be interested to know what those are? Tough!
The most pressing thing right now, in this hellish corona incarceration, is to keep my children happy by going to the local astro to play two on two hockey. In our three previous matches so far the boys have reigned supreme, despite Mummy being the fittest player on the park….and me the least.
By the way, how long is it to Easter? For the uninitiated Easter comes at the end of Lent….a significant date.
ADayInTheStrifeOf 