Roger Ebert on death (believe, born, beliefs, political)

[nana053]

I do not fear death - Salon.com

I know it is coming, and I do not fear it, because I believe there is nothing on the other side of death to fear. I hope to be spared as much pain as possible on the approach path. I was perfectly content before I was born, and I think of death as the same state. I am grateful for the gifts of intelligence, love, wonder and laughter. You can’t say it wasn’t interesting. My lifetime’s memories are what I have brought home from the trip. I will require them for eternity no more than that little souvenir of the Eiffel Tower I brought home from Paris.

There is a lot in this essay. I particularly like this:

“Kindness” covers all of my political beliefs. No need to spell them out. I believe that if, at the end, according to our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and something to make ourselves a little happier, that is about the best we can do. To make others less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts. We must try to contribute joy to the world. That is true no matter what our problems, our health, our circumstances. We must try. I didn’t always know this and am happy I lived long enough to find it out.

[mordant]

That reprint is a great tribute to a good and wise man. To be disabused of your illusions brings peace and makes death something to embrace rather than to avoid and deny at all costs. Even a death that contemplates oblivion. Maybe even especially such a death.

[Dollydo]

So enjoyed reading this...thank you!