Not really. I just don't want to lie on the floor for five or six days before someone misses me.
They found my neighbor dead on her bathroom floor yesterday. Said she'd been gone five or six days.
*sob*
I live alone too and no one would even realize something happened until I didn't show up for work one day.

RIP Lori!

I'm not really afraid but I just wouldn't want to leave my children.

I hate the thought of leaving, but I'm not afraid to. I am afraid it could be sooner than I'm ready for. Also afraid of it happening in a violent manner and like Angela, I don't want it to be days before I'm found.

I personally think it's human nature to fear death to some degree - some more than others, to be sure. No matter how strong your faith is or what you believe about life after death, the fact is that death and a lot of the details of the afterlife are unknown to us - and that's a little daunting, and at times scary.

I do fear the dying process when I sit and think about it (which isn't often, thankfully!). I'm terrified of suffocating. I'm not scared of being dead. As much as I believe that Heaven will be an absolutely incredible place, it's hard for me to fathom not being HERE. This life is all I know, and I love it here, ya know? And I hate the thought of leaving my kids motherless.

So, my answer is yes and no. :)

Ditto to what Nicole said, except now that my children are grown, I fear leaving my dogs motherless. All you animal lovers understand. :)

Kim

I'm terrified of dying, especially since I will probably die alone. Nobody in my family would mourn me except maybe my sisters if they outlive me.

What I fear more than death though is having cancer or a terminal disease and being really sick and nobody in my family being there for me. They weren't there for my Mom - they certainly wouldn't be here for me. I know that is a selfish thought but I know I would be there for them and I would mourn them.

Vique, I have some UFO'S I would like to complete. Some are big cross stitched pieces that are half done but until I get better lighting in this house I can't really work on them. I bring them out in the summer though and work on them on the front porch in the late afternoon when the light is perfect.

Anne

I'm not really afraid to die, I think I'm more afraid to live a really long life. I don't really feel that healthy now...I can't imagine how I'd feel or what I'd still be able to do on my own at 80 or 90. I don't want to be a burden to anyone.

I'm not afraid to die. I hate leaving my husband and daughter, and my animals. I hate that they will have to deal with all my "stuff". I need to start dealing with what I can before that day comes.

I'm afraid now ! as our World continues to change
I'm not sure of anything any more. And knowing I may live
to see it get worse just add's to the fear.
always wondering if others think the same.
olgaflowers,

No, not afraid, just afraid of suffering before I die.
Just want it over QUICK!

As others have hinted - I don't fear death so much as the "dying" part. I don't want to be in chronic pain, or linger on my deathbed, sucking emotion (not to mention the money for my care) from my family.

I have so many knit and crochet projects in the works (and in my head in the planning stage). Sometimes I get to feeling like Mrs. Winchester - as long as I'm working at them I can't die, LOL.

I think I fear dying less than I used to after seeing it up close and personal. I hope to just slip away like I've witnessed, without a struggle. Not lingering in pain and suffering.

Olgaflowers, I completely understand your feelings and share them also.

I don't want to die - period. Heaven or not, there is no place I would rather be than with my family, right here.

I don't think I'd even like Heaven becausemy kids and husband wouldn't be there. I'm afraid I'll be lonely up there.

I don't think I am afraid but you never really know about something until it happens. I don't want a long lingering death like cancer. I have seen too many die that way and it is not nice. I don't want to leave my DH, DS and dog. And I have too many unfinished projects to do before I die.
Clare

My only fear is that I would die before my mother. I wouldn't want her heart to break like I hear parents' hearts do, when they lose a child, no matter the age of the child.

I'm not afraid of death, I'm afraid of dying. Both my parents were not conscious and it was quite peaceful. Neither had unbearable pain and that's what I fear. I'm going to miss seeing what my children and grandchildren and hopefully by then, great grandchildren do w/ their lives and seeing them happy and content. I'd hate to have to go through a lot of medical stuff and pain. I have a real fear of MRIs since I'm claustrophobic and would like to think I can get out of this w/o ever having to have one. There's a song we sing at our church about "may all who come behind us find us faithful" and I do hope for that. I want my children and grands to have loving, happy memories of me. I want them to remember me as busting my butt to help them live good lives. I think that's why I spend so much time w/ my grandchidren. I have happy memories of my grandmothers and I want that for my grands, too.

I am not afraid, just not ready yet. There are quite a few things left I still want to do.

Moni

Not anymore. But I am scared to death of being incapacitated somehow or having dementia and not being able to wipe myself, feed myself, walk, etc... That's my worst nightmare. The thought of dying alone is pretty sad too. I have a very small family, there are only three of us kids. My dad will be 80 next year. When he's gone I doubt my brothers would ever come to visit me. My kids are almost grown and they will probably move away.

I have a really bad feeling (and have made comments to my coworkers before) that I will probably be like some of our patients. No one left to care. No one comes to visit and they die alone or have to take a taxi home. I've already had to take a taxi to have surgery on my eyes because I couldn't drive and have no family nearby. Have no clue what I'm going to do when I'm old and can't drive myself.

I'm not afraid of death. I can't say I'm too nuts about the process of getting there.
I sure hope it isn't for a while yet. There is still so much to see and do. And, I want to hang around and see where all this technology takes us. And, how does this whole global warming thing turn out?

Ron

I think I am not afraid of dying...no more worries and peace?...and then, I think about the garden and how I always want to experiment with something different out there...and I'll always want one more day. One more day to talk to my daughter, to see DH walk in the door, to pet my cats.
I've heard more people say that their afraid of going to a nursing home, than afraid of dying.
I hate the thought of laying there with a terminal disease and people starring at me. I'm the odd one?...I don't want anyone with me when I die...wouldn't want the family to see.

Christians are a strange lot - they tell what a great place heaven is ... but how many have you seen in any hurry to get there?

One Sunday, in about the early '40s, I think, my old Grandma, in her early 80s with a badly bent back, had some Jehovah's Witnesses come to visit while we were at church.

When they asked what she thought about her future (and, of course, they think that only a select few of theirs will get there - the rest of them/maybe a few of us? are to be elsewhere [on a scrubbed-up earth], I guess), she replied that she expected to go to Heaven.

They questioned whether that might be the way that it was to be.

Anyway, Grandma quoted Christ on the cross to the thief, "Today you'll be with me in Paradise".

They questioned the name on the signboard at the edge of town ...

... to which Grandma replied that, whatever the name of the place, she figured that if it'd good enough for Jesus ... it'd be good enough for her!

If I die suddenly in this place, that's O.K. by me - but if I'm not found for a week or so, I feel sad for my landlord, having to air the place out.

But if I'm ill and in need of help, that'd be a problem: I'd like help to come quickly. We told old Uncle to get one of those pushbuttons to hang around his neck, after his wife died ... and it took him a couple of years to agree ... starting a couple of months before his death.

If one's hip lets go, a wall-mounted phone might as well be in the next county ... so it's a good idea to have an (accesible) cell - but if it's on a shelf 4 feet off of the floor, same problem ... so, better, a phone on an end table, which can be pulled off by the cord.

My driving licence is (I hope, temporarily) restricted, so I'm giving active consideration to restricted lifestyle.

I value my health and independence and don't like the idea of restriction or confinement, and inability to care for myself in my home, let alone in a residential or nursing home, and the possible uncertainty and pain of serious illness near the end of life. Such pain shared with my loved ones, as well.

But I rather feel that we may taste, here and now, of the first-fruits of the after-life, whatever that may be like.

And that the transition into whatever may be beyond may be less drastic than sometimes we think.

Those who have had a near-death experience tell of an intense, but non-glaring light, of beauty and a great sense of peace (sort of beyond measure).

Scarcely anyone who has had such an experience fears death after such - I think no one, in actuality.

Possibly we'll be aware from (there?) of what's going on in this life with our loved ones. What a difficulty, though, to, of necessity, have no option but to keep our mouths shut!

We're told that there's no marriage and giving in marriage, there ... and I wonder whether, if that turns out to be factual, that it may mean that there'll be greater sense of intercommunication and intimacy than we have any inkling of while here.

I do look forward to renewing my relationship with Dad, brother and other relatives and friends ... but especially with Mom, who was in psych. hosp. from when I was 5 and 7 ... and died when I was 13 - I got the notifying phone call.

Pearly gates? Streets of gold? Who knows? Who cares?

The furniture of the place is of far less importance to me than what our life will be like, and the relationship that we have with God ... and Christ ... and one another, with everyone.

Will there be challenges, opportunities for achieving things, development, in that different life? The only way that a challenge is meaningful is if there is a possibility of failure.

We like democracy here ... but there won't be any of that nonsense, (up? there)/in that dimension of life!

Somehow, the hymn, "When we've been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, There'll be as many days to sing God's praise As when we'd first begun", doesn't turn me on too much. No variety? No challenges, interesting, to work toward, to accomplish, to develop alliances with others to achieve together?

Bo-o-r-r-i-i-n-g!??

Just imagine - if the Devil and his cohorts are there ... when a decree comes out from (on high?), all of the elect will sing for joy ... and the Devil and his/(surely not "her"?) cohorts will say, "Drat!!!"

Enough for now, I think - before I get my dog's tail caught even more sharply in the screen door!

(Did I answer the question?)

ole joyful

Not me...Im so tired of dr visits.blood tests,tests,dialysis,Ive known about my health problems ever sinbce I was 18.Im 53 now,Im just tired...

Sorry that you're so tired out, ((((bull dinkie)))).

Life can be a burden, at times. Sometimes for a long time ... unremitting.

God grant you strength for each day as it comes - and a heartfelt smile, on occasion.

ole joyful

In July of 2007 I watched my father pass away from medical problems in the hospital that we now know should not have happened. He was so scared. I have a very strong mother who stood there with the look of "I need to be doing something". I hope when I pass for my loved ones I go as they say, "silently into the night she passed with a smile on her face". I'm not afraid of going, I just don't want those who love me be scared for me.
Conniemema (mema is for "grandma"of 5 girls)

Connie,

I'm sorry that you have this distressing memory of the end of your Dad's life.

That you'll carry with you for the rest of your life, almost certainly.

Have you talked of it with an empathetic listener? Do you know someone who'd fill that rather demanding bill? That might ease the pressure some ... even though you may think that it isn't much of a burden, if you could do something like that, you might be surprised at how much easier you might feel about it, later.

And I may be wrong about that.

(((((conniemema)))))

ole joyful

No, I'm not afraid of dying. I too live by myself, but I still work, so someone would miss me if I didn't show up and maybe send someone to see about me. I don't hear from my kids very often, so I could be dead a long time before they realize I was.

Not afraid of death. I've been close 3 times.

Gayle

My dad had a near death experience quite a few years before he died.
He always told me to never fear death,as it was the most beautiful and peaceful experience.
He was actually depressed for weeks after he was revived,because he wanted to stay in that beautiful place he had briefly visited.

No, I'm not afraid to die but I am afraid of being in a nursing home or alone and nobody caring.

I'm not afraid...just not ready to go yet...I wanna hug some grandkids and have a chance to be a great one at that!

No grandkids to hug.

Minimal prospect of finding any.

They find them under cabbages, don't they?

ole joyful

Nope. I live with no regrets even though there were lots of hard times along the way.

I do hope nobody has to make a hard decision when my time comes. Two years ago, on my mom's 77th birthday, she had to make the dreaded decision to take her sister off of life support. Even though she did the right thing, that decision has haunted her.

I've watched as my mom has grown ever tired -- not the kind of "tired" that a nap will cure. She doesn't have a terminal illness or anything, but her body is tired, and she is ready to go.

On a lighter note, I was challenged some years ago to write my own obituary. I took a humorous approach. (Note: I embellished it to include children -- but I don't have any.)

OBITUARY: Writer, Rita T.

Rita The Writer died Saturday
Slumped over her keyboard, she passed clean away.
Born with a golden pen in her hand
Destined for greatness, her future was planned.
It seems a great novel simmered within her,
A Pulitzer Prize-winner from a beginner.
Alas, she was sidetracked by a house full of kids
That temporarily put her work on the skids.
She nurtured them, raised them, she emptied her nest;
With the house finally silent, she refused to rest.
You see, Rita got going at age 41,
She sat down to write, thus began Chapter One.
With passion, with fervor, she scribed day and night,
Her character, her plot, her wording just right.
Chapters two, three and four followed quickly and then-
Her husband discovered her dead in the den.
The coroner stated it's unusual indeed
"Too much inspiration, she simply OD'd!"
He explained to her family as they fought back tears
Her talent was bottled up for too many years.
"If she'd started years sooner this creative quest
Using the talent with which she was blessed
Instead, she procrastinated 'til it was too late
Massive rupture of muse thus sealed her fate."
"The worst part," said the minister who delivered the sermon,
"Whodunit is something we'll never determine.
For we not only bury Rita The Writer
We bury the last chapter still deep inside her."

Rita, that is awesome!!

I am convinced after death there are only two possibilities: Nothing or Heaven. I cannot imagine a God who loves his children allowing them to suffer in Hell.

Please take a moment to think of Rita the Writer
Overwhelmed by the muse that was stuck up inside her.

o j

Well, that's one way to put it OJ... LMBO!

Thanks, Marilyn. I like it, too. :-)

Like most, I'm more worried about dying than death itself. I come from a large family and I'd be really upset if any of my younger siblings died first, and most upset to be the last one alive. I hope to have enough healthy years to enjoy my future grandchildren, but not live long enough to become too sickly or senile.

Lydia1959 posted: I'm not really afraid to die, I think I'm more afraid to live a really long life. I don't really feel that healthy now...I can't imagine how I'd feel or what I'd still be able to do on my own at 80 or 90. I don't want to be a burden to anyone.

I feel the same way, Lydia. I'm 64 and struggling more than I care to. :(

This will sound so stupid, but because DH and I are such Biblical prophecy nuts, I look foreward to it! The only thing is that I hope I don't leave before my kids are grown. Like Granlan, I've always hoped I don't live too long!

Blessings,
Haley

That is great, Rita, and really funny.

LOLOLOLOL at Rita....that is absolutely wonderful!!!!

I'm with Haley....my kids are grown and doing great...DH is fine and will do okay with or without me....
"to be absent from the body is to be present with the L@rd" for me...so whatever/whenever.....I'm good with it!

I'm not afraid of dying,just don't want to do it before my time.Nor do i want to linger on with some illness like cancer,or any of those where you have to be at someone else's mercy all the time.My dads side of the family have been living for the most part til their 90's and have been healthy all that time.So far i'm taking after my dads side.I'm 70 last week,just had my physical today and i'm in very good shape except for my knees,and i'll be having surgery on them very soon.
Kathi

I want to thank everyone who responded to my post. There are some very interesting takes on this subject. Vique.
John 3:16

I actually worry about the time before death more than death. I hope that I can manage to take care of myself and my husband until the end ...we have made some plans for care and hope that will suffice ............

I'm more afraid of my husband dieing first, leaving me all alone. My prayer is to go first. For myself I don't fear death, but I hope I go quickly so as not to be a burden to anyone. I'm not ready yet, as I still have a lot of living, loving, crafting, and "bugging" to do...LOL. However, I know to pray "Thy will be done", not "My" will be done.

Linda split between OH and GA,

Aren't we just so good at that ...

"Thy will be done" out of one side of our mouths ...

... and "My will be done ..." out of the other ... and so soon after!

Sort of like climbing over the back wall/slipping up the back stairs of heaven and taking over God's throne, no?

In effect, telling our Great Maker that we know better?

ole joyful

P.S. Just imagine - to the Great Maker of all things and all people ... whether it took 6 days or 6 million years.

o j

I to am more afraid of being a burden on my family before I go. I don't want to cause them finicial problems by having to take care of me long term. I am in no way "ready" to go. I enjoy this life soooo much and don't want to leave to soon. I do look forward to being with my gramma again. I miss her so much every single day of my life. Stacy