I had a moment of introspection today as I sat in a pew at a good friend’s dad’s funeral: Death is much like chronic pain. A few years back, on a different blog of mine, I made this statement regarding chronic pain with my cluster headaches:

And lastly, the most important lesson I’ve learned? The pain reminds us that we’re alive. Without the pain we’d go through life not understanding what a gift it is to be able to relax without pain and distractions. That pain keeps me from being a sheep, tooling around life without knowing where I came from and where I want to go.

Death sucks but it reminds us we’re alive. Cherish the time you have with your living family and friends. Everything doesn’t have to be a party – but ever so often have a moment of reflection and smile when you’re having a good day.

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