Last week I again saw the neurologist about the headaches. He gave me a needle in the side of the head and it did seem to help. I saw him again Wednesday for the second injection and guess what I woke up this morning with NO HEAD ACHE. Have said a little prayer of thanks. this feels so nice. Have to go for blood work this morning, seeing the doctor next week about my breathing.
I have had a thought running around in my head for the past while. It comes from something I got off a TV show a few weeks back. Now memory guy here, holding true to form, I can’t remember the show. There was a gentleman being interviewed (can’t remember his name either) about his thoughts on dying. One of his comments stuck with me, I suppose as it caught me a little off guard and was a different line of thinking or at least something I had given any thought to. Here is his explanation of why we dread the thought of dying or at least as best I can remember.
“We dread the thought of being forgotten about, of not being missed. We dread the thought of passing without having accomplished anything. Did our lives matter?”
Believe me,I can understand and relate to each of those points.
Geesh, I have stopped for coffee and just plain old wasted so much time, I have to head out for that blood work. I have more to say on this but I ask each reader here to help me out by telling me what your own thoughts about your own lives are in this regard.
Dying mans daily journal 
I often ask myself this question. But so far I have learned that what matters the most is what I can do while I am here. What I can do to help others live a fuller life. If my actions are forgotten (which will be in about 50 years), then let it be.
I am pretty much OK with it HOW I’ve lived but I certainly wouldn’t want to go yet because right now, I have a lot to live for. It’s amazing how becoming a parent makes you much more careful your health. I want to do everything I can to make sure I’m around to watch my boy grow up.
Cheers
BC
Wow.
I’m just so tickled there’s relief from that chronic headache!
I’m going to hope it remains–and be grateful that you got a reprieve.
Here’s where I’d say “Define ‘matters’….” I think we all have ways in which we change and shape lives. And for me, that is huge. But that’s what I’m charged to do, that’s a bit of my calling on the planet.
I also believe what Noel said–in 50 years things/people will have been forgotten. Does that mean that it hasn’t mattered? Notsomuch in my book.
I’ve watched “It’s a Wonderful Life”. LOL
I know how my contribution to the course of things matter hugely.
Odds are I’m not going to be remembered in 50 years. I’m good with that, actually. What I’ve done and what I do remains etched and un-erasable. This is why I try to choose very, very wisely……
There’s my 2 cents!
And I’m so glad there’s been a reprieve for you with those darn headaches! 🙂
Hi, Bill! I got your message but by the time I looked up from my book and responded you had logged off. Sorry I missed you!
So glad you’ve gotten some relief from your headaches! I hope it lasts.
As for your question, to me it’s not important to be remembered. What is important to me is to have made other people’s lives better while I’m here, but it doesn’t really matter to me if they remember it or not. It doesn’t have to be a huge impact on their lives, either. Something as simple as buying a cold Gatorade for the homeless man panhandling in the 100 degree heat made his life a little bit better that afternoon. Asking to speak to the grocery store manager to tell him what a wonderful job the checker was doing, rescuing a lost dog in my neighborhood and finding his owner, paying for breakfast for the customer ahead of me in line who forgot her wallet, etc. I just try to do kindnesses where I can and as long as I keep trying, that’s enough for me.
What frightens me about the thought of dying is the thought of someone having to come in and sort through all of my stuff when I’m gone! Or worrying about who will care for my pets. You know, the practical stuff. 🙂