A close friend once told me this. She shared that when she received the news of an acquaintance’s death, she thought of me.
She thought of how she would not be able to talk to me anymore. Not be able to see me again. How she can try all numbers and there would be no number that she can dial to reach me ever again.
Whether it is the death of ourselves or others, it is inevitable. Death separates us.
This is the way it is.
But rather than becoming morbid, it should galvanise us to really really start living. Living in the present. Being really present with our love ones mindfully. Speaking and treating each other with care and love.
All while knowing that it is not eternal or everlasting. The very nature of change allows for all kinds of possibilities.
While death is inevitable, the Buddha do not advocate suicide. Even for Arahants who has completed what needs to be cultivated and can enter parinibbana without blame, was advised by the Buddha to stay on, out of compassion for sentient beings.
Because death is certain and our passing moment is not, all the more, we want to make good use of each moment, to bring the most welfare and benefit to each other.
Then life is not just about materialistic living for our own present gratification nor morbid worrying about the future impending doom of death.
Rather, it becomes a very active form of living. Really living.