Somewhere along the line I was tought to touch the hands of the dead. That has been a gift. Easy to do at an open casket viewing or funeral. Maybe its my imagination but I'll take that placebo. Its brought me peace with my little brother's passing and others I've admired and respected. I was fortunate to hold my mother's hand while she died.

I also believe folks can call upon the spirit, or memories, of folks gone on as a sounding board...sort of like "What would Winston Churchill have done in this situation?" Why not, "What would Uncle Fred do in this situation?"

Death is scary because it reminds me my time will come too. Ask not for whom the bell tolls....

Can't recall the lady's name who said something to the effect of, "What a brave thing it is to love something you know will die." Meaning pets, but applies to two leggeds too.

And grief is something you just gotta do. You can't pray away grief, you can't drink away grief, you can't work the 12 steps on grief. You just gotta do your grief...when you're laying on the floor in the fetal position crying from deep in your soul then you're doing your grief work.

And for sure, honoring the life of the deceased.

Ron