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You and me both. My oldest son and our daughter-in-law both worked in New York then. He was some distance away from the Twin Towers. Our DIL usually got off the subway in that station but that day had an errand to run so got off just down the line when the planes hit. She ran to her office and helped the staff get out right before another building collapsed on it. Had they not been able to dive through an open basement door, they would have been crushed. We couldn't get in touch with them until 10:00 their time and could only wait and hope for a call as we couldn't get through.
American Airlines Flight 77 is very poignant for me as the nose of the plane hit almost exactly where my former office had been, 2nd Floor, E Ring, 4th Corridor. There but for the Grace of God...
I would go to bed at night thinking how unreal it was to have planes hitting buildings like this....I mean, who would have thought?
Those poor people on those flights - I just shudder at the horror and terror they were feeling at the time - and then those on the ground - as you say.
My parents' generation was up in arms about Pearl Harbour. I tell my children that this was our Pearl Harbour.
sorry, newenglandgirl, I usually agree with your posts but not this one. The OP is just bringing up something he's concerned about, and there's a lot of topics here that nobody can do anything about. Sometimes people just need to talk and/or get others input.
I also don't find talking about death depressing. Just a fact of life.
sorry, newenglandgirl, I usually agree with your posts but not this one. The OP is just bringing up something he's concerned about, and there's a lot of topics here that nobody can do anything about. Sometimes people just need to talk and/or get others input.
I also don't find talking about death depressing. Just a fact of life.
Death is not depressing to me. I am fine with "death." This is not a "retirement" topic, it is a senior topic, and if people want to go on talking about dying, fine. I see nothing constructive and I still see the tone as condescending ("do you realize we will be dead soon?") and preachy ("don't waste time," as if most of us do). Have fun talking about death. Probably belongs in an "All Things Senior" forum.
old_cold, I'm curious about what you think you should be doing rather than reading?
Your post implies that you should be doing other things more worthwhile or more 'something' than reading - what would those things be?
I don't think there is anything more inherently worthwhile than reading - especially in retirement.
Keeping an active and engaged mind is always a positive way to spend time. I think you have come to that conclusion too. But still there is the implication that you should be doing something else on beautiful days. Do you mean hiking, walking, bicycling, or a household chore on those beautiful days?
sorry, newenglandgirl, I usually agree with your posts but not this one. The OP is just bringing up something he's concerned about, and there's a lot of topics here that nobody can do anything about. Sometimes people just need to talk and/or get others input.
I also don't find talking about death depressing. Just a fact of life.
I also agree. I think it's a topic that needs to be discussed. After watching my mom pass away (Hospice) and it was peaceful, I feel more at peace.
However, I have always felt death is harder on those left behind unless of course, it's such a violent and prolonged suffering, of course.
Thoughts of death are more prevalent around those older (usually) so I personally think this forum is OK for it.
This particular forum has helped me deal with other issues and just shown me other options so I'm appreciative - sometimes, those around me are too used to the situation and I'm generally looking for unbiased opinions.
(And, I just wish my husband could talk to his own father about how he feels - he just turned 89 - and I just wish we knew his wishes). (He has a will but that's not what I mean - the household items, pictures, burial, stuff like that).
I would hope that we could "agree to disagree" on this or any other topic.
The relative immediacy of death, FOR ME, makes life more poignant and I want to make sure I do the things I want to do, if indeed I do have years or decades left.
I personally tend to get off track . . .
Thinking of death just gives me perspective.
I appreciate all of the positive and inspiring posts. I have gained a lot of insight and am amazed by some of the stories I have read.
I think awareness of one's mortality (and that of others) is always a wise thing, not just when the years are piling up. I've always been aware of it, maybe because of my childhood fear of nuclear war, or the amount of cancer on my father's side. I mean, we all die. I don't think it's morbid to admit to reality.
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