Where, O Death, Is Your Sting?

“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?” - 1 Corinthians 15:55

I still remember the night my grandmother died. She and my grandfather lived with us. She was very ill and when she passed my grandfather was quite philosophical about it. All he said was, “what can we do?”

My father was away on business in the interior of the country, and had to be informed so he could return home. It took some doing to get the message of his mom’s passing to him because those were the days before the internet and cell phones.

My father was very unhappy when he returned home. He was unhappy with my mother for not getting a message to him sooner so he could see his Mom alive one last time. But he was particularly unhappy with the doctor who did not advise my mother to contact him urgently, and have him return home.

My father sat in his room for long periods of time, reading religious books, and crying. He was heartbroken.

I was about twelve and loved my grandmother, but I didn’t cry. Instead, I put on a brave face and helped out with what needed to be done. It seems that even at that young age I was aware that we would all die and go somewhere else.

Since then, all my grandparents and my parents have passed, and except for my mother, I did not cry. Does this make me mean, unfeeling, uncaring or unloving? I think not. I just deal with death differently, calmly and with equanimity.

Death has visited every home, every family, but no one knows when death will visit. We all know that we will have to leave this world one day. Some are afraid or concerned, while others are comforted by their religious beliefs. Christians believe in the resurrection of the dead, Hindus in reincarnation, and people of other faiths have other beliefs.

Neville Goddard

The mystic Neville Goddard taught that after we leave this world we enter another world which is similar to this one, and that we are given a new body. Imagine that! A new body, with no signs of age, no wrinkles, no aches or pain, strong and healthy, full of energy. Neville, as he is generally known today among his fans, does say that all of us will one day experience the resurrection, but individually, each when he is ready. None, he said, will be lost. That none will be lost makes perfect sense to me. How can the Good Shepherd lose even a single member of the flock?

There have been many stories of people who claimed that they returned from death. They said that upon dying they saw a very bright light and felt loved. It was such a beautiful experience they did not want to return to our troubled world.

Steve Jobs: “Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow.”

As the world knows, Steve Jobs of Apple fame died recently. His family, including his sister, were at his bedside when he passed. His sister said that just before he passed away, he looked over and past the shoulders of his sister, his children, and his life’s partner and said, “Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow.” What did Steve Jobs see? Whatever it was, it must have been beautiful, lovely and comforting. He was unafraid.

I do not fear death. When my time comes, I will face it as billions before me have. In the meantime, I will focus on life and living.