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I can relate. For some of us, religion has answers. My wife's grannie lived long. She told us a bit too long! The world sort of got away from her. Husband,

I can relate. For some of us, religion has answers. My wife's grannie lived long. She told us a bit too long! The world sort of got away from her. Husband, friends, gone and yet she continues on. One of her favorite things was to talk about her youth, how it all was. I recorded this for family to come and it gave her great comfort. Near her end she was not in pain, but just tired. She would awaken and sometimes say, "Oh, I am still here. Ok then, can I get my hot tea please?" She felt it was time to go home, where others had gone. She wondered why she was still here after so many close to her were already home, gone. I am not religious, so none of that works for me. I wish it did sometimes. I have lost people, some recently during this pandemic. I hate it. I hate that I too will be lost to someone to whom I matter. Hate that an awful lot. So far, nobody reports back, so this is it for us. I don't fear it as much. I fear losing mine more than being among the lost. I hate that lonely feeling when someone is dead, gone forever, no more, but for the parts of them they leave with others. As I travel, I have come to value experiences, others, and what I can share with younger people, those parts of me that will endure. Right now, I have balance. This is all OK. I know it will not endure, so I try hard to amplify the good and be present. When my spouse or I die, the other will be tested hard. We married young and sharing this journey with someone is the best! We may be here to help others thrive. I fear neither of us will when our time here together ends. I fear that a lot.

camjohnson26 6y ago
These human experiences are part of what convinces those of us who are religious that there is an aspect of human experience that is not physical. We believe that deep fears and deep connections are evidence of a level of consciousness that goes beyond what other animals are capable of. Yes we do see instances of the animals displaying mourning for dead comrades or even mating for life, but those examples are noteworthy because they are the exception and because they appear to be human. If God has given humans a privileged place in the universe it gives our existence meaning and a hope after death.
- ddingus 6y ago
  We may well be connected in ways we do not understand well at all. I have a high affinity with animals. They are far more capable and present than many of us recognize. Here is an observation for you: Communication. Higher order animals, and us humans have abstractions, and we humans have them deeper and to higher orders than we see, or can understand and relate to, in animals. Animals live their story. How they move, where they place themselves, and vocalizations all speak to their mind. They are like us, just simpler. When animals are in a harmonious environment with one another, and humans who grok them, it is robust. There is joy, wonder, pain, play, love, comfort, nature, and a sense of being present in this world. They have souls. While they may not burn as brightly as we may understand human souls do, they are unique as we are, travellers as we are. I strongly question whether we are unique as beings in all this. We are more complex, and can build on our understanding of one another and the world around us in ways animals do not because of that complexity. Otherwise, we are all beings here. What we can do suggests precisely nothing about what, if anything comes after death. So far, nobody reports back, and we have no definitive record from anyone but us, here alone but for our furry companions. Please, do not take that as some bad or negative statement to your faith. I simply do not share it, despite seeking it at times. Like the animals, we are here for a time and that is all. Or, should this all be a cycle or transitory state, it is for them too. It may all be one body conscious, for that matter and it concentrates, ebbs and flows through beings of all kinds. Nobody knows. Maybe we can know, and I hope so one day we do. Take what comfort you can fellow traveler! It is all anyone who walks this world can do. And by all means, enjoy the ride, maybe leave it better than you found it

camjohnson26 6y ago

These human experiences are part of what convinces those of us who are religious that there is an aspect of human experience that is not physical. We believe that deep fears and deep connections are evidence of a level of consciousness that goes beyond what other animals are capable of. Yes we do see instances of the animals displaying mourning for dead comrades or even mating for life, but those examples are noteworthy because they are the exception and because they appear to be human. If God has given humans a privileged place in the universe it gives our existence meaning and a hope after death.

ddingus 6y ago
We may well be connected in ways we do not understand well at all. I have a high affinity with animals. They are far more capable and present than many of us recognize. Here is an observation for you: Communication. Higher order animals, and us humans have abstractions, and we humans have them deeper and to higher orders than we see, or can understand and relate to, in animals. Animals live their story. How they move, where they place themselves, and vocalizations all speak to their mind. They are like us, just simpler. When animals are in a harmonious environment with one another, and humans who grok them, it is robust. There is joy, wonder, pain, play, love, comfort, nature, and a sense of being present in this world. They have souls. While they may not burn as brightly as we may understand human souls do, they are unique as we are, travellers as we are. I strongly question whether we are unique as beings in all this. We are more complex, and can build on our understanding of one another and the world around us in ways animals do not because of that complexity. Otherwise, we are all beings here. What we can do suggests precisely nothing about what, if anything comes after death. So far, nobody reports back, and we have no definitive record from anyone but us, here alone but for our furry companions. Please, do not take that as some bad or negative statement to your faith. I simply do not share it, despite seeking it at times. Like the animals, we are here for a time and that is all. Or, should this all be a cycle or transitory state, it is for them too. It may all be one body conscious, for that matter and it concentrates, ebbs and flows through beings of all kinds. Nobody knows. Maybe we can know, and I hope so one day we do. Take what comfort you can fellow traveler! It is all anyone who walks this world can do. And by all means, enjoy the ride, maybe leave it better than you found it