Evening all!
I've been perusing the threads in this forum for a while now, and over the years have contributed to... probably too many elsewhere, but there's a question that is seldom asked, let alone answered: W
hat would have to happen before you wouldn't *want* to survive?
The most common attitude, in my experience, is something like: 'they'd' better not come on my property unless they're bulletproof (or like that), and charity/hospitality is looked upon with derision because most people believe that we'll have to live in a Rambo-style world. Maybe be will.
At present, I live on top (well,
almost at the top) of a mountain in an extremely remote mountain region. We have no police here, no doctors (excepting myself), dentists, stores (of any kind), or anything else that most people equate with civilization. We do have a 'pony express' mail delivery system that brings mail twice a week to a trailer located approximately a half-hour's drive from the settlement (population 42) in which I live. Most people call it a ghost town, and I suppose it is, considering that we're spread about a bit.
I imagine the mail delivery would cease abruptly at the first sign of trouble. We've gone without mail for weeks before when forest fires, floods, avalanches, and simply inclement weather made delivery difficult or impossible. I didn't hear one person complain.
What we
do have here is an abundance of fish and wildlife, fresh water, forested area, edible and medicinal plants, syrup-producing trees and so on, so pretty much what one would expect in a wilderness area.
We have dial-up Internet service - when the phones are working, LOL (no cell service up here), and satellite service can be accessed by those who have the means to acquire it. (Not too many. I'm on dial-up, BTW.) If the grid goes down, or there's an EMP burst, well... the Internet will be history.
Most people, if not all people here have several rifles, chainsaws, fishing equipment, at least a canoe, and a variety of useful toys both powered (as in they need gas to run) and non powered. We have a decent compliment of peaceful old hippies who brew their own white lightening (AKA moonshine), a variety of wines, and who also grow (as well as root veggies) an impressive amount of marijuana.
Most up here are handymen, even if they're disabled - which many are in one way or another - and all know how to build shelters and fires, and how to hunt, fish, and 'fix things.' I don't remember one unpleasant domestic imbroglio taking place in the twenty years I've lived here.
We're also three driving hours away from the nearest small town. Walking here (from town, which is also 50 miles away from the next small town - in any direction) and arriving alive would be chancy - at best - especially if the ambitious pedestrian was hungry, unarmed, and clueless.
Sounds idyllic, doesn't it? Well, it is. It's peaceful, breathtakingly beautiful, and... did I mention peaceful?
Here's the thing though -
I don't know *anyone* up here who wants to survive losing their kids (most of whom live in various cities because there's no work here).
Several rely on medicine, which they usually get by mail, and some will not survive without it - and wouldn't care to try, so they say.
That's just up here.
While in the missionary field,
I've talked to people all over the world, and not many want to 'bother' living if they lose their children and other loved ones due to war, pandemic, starvation, disease... you name it - the family is everything to most people everywhere on Earth.
Not many seem overly concerned with wealth, possessions, and 'stuff' like that, but after family, most people care about medical care (even just needed meds), and
not having to live in fear - a biggie. Torture, rape, starvation, and dog-eat-dog daily living conditions... not many I've talked to even
want to survive in a 'world' like that.
Fear and panic kill more people than all other diseases combined - a global pandemic notwithstanding.
What about you? What would it take for you to prefer to move on to the great hereafter? What kind of cataclysm would it take to make you want to bow out?
Love,
Mahrie.
P.S. I thought it only fair to tell you where my line in the sand is (not that I believe we mortals control our own destiny, as by the Grace of God I've already lived through many things I thought I couldn't bear). I've already buried a child, so I know that particular horror, and while I wouldn't be happy living with the knowledge that the rest of my (educated in prepping, but paying no attention to it) children had predeceased me, my personal 'wouldn't care anymore' situation would be - losing Darlin'.
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