Is that phrase getting overused, or am I the only one it's bugging? (It came up again in regard to the tornado chasers killed in Oklahoma this past Friday.)

Usually, any death is regrettable. To me it doesn't much matter whether it was on a ski slope, in bed, hunting, fighting a fire, or on the highway. I don't see how that phrase would bring any solace to the people that cared about him or her. I can't imagine that it would mean much to the departed if you could contact them, and tell them that at least they died doing what they loved.

When I started really noticing the irritating use of that phrase was when a young man, about 18 or 19, if I remember correctly, was killed on the streets of Sydney, Australia a few years ago. What he was doing was hanging out drinking with his friends, racing each other (drunk) standing in wheelie-bins (wheeled trash cans), down a steep city street. His wheelie-bin flipped over and he hit his head on the concrete and died. I think I read that comment three of four times just to be sure I read what I thought I read.

I hate an easily avoided death, and it never occurs to me that at least the person died doing what he loved.

I'm somewhat on the opposite side. Death is not regrettable, it's certain, the only question is how soon.

Personally, I'd rather die shooting ducks or doves than in a hospital bed with tubes going in and out of various orifices. In my case, at least, I'd think my relatives would be glad to know I went out doing something I enjoyed. Of course, I'm in no rush......

The "died doing what he wanted" is a nice sentimentality for the survivors. For the one who died, it's a meaningless phrase. They couldn't get anything out of it because they didn't know it was gonna happen like that.

But that's obvious, no?

So, I'll add this to the mix.

IF I knew for a fact that I was dying and was somehow given the right to pick the manner, any manner, any place, any time in history, I would without hesitation say -

"I choose to let it be with the Marines on Iwo"

I can't think of any better way...

My guess is that those who died doing what they loved would have stayed home if they had known.

Good point Gato, when I went in for cataract surgery 3 years ago ,I was waiting in my humble little gown + watched the other old fart across the way w/the tubes + in + out.I did'nt want to be there for 2 hours let alone....forever. That;s when I threw my cigarettes in the trash.As an addendum,I have a dear friend that is dying from lung cancer that is now in a "home" in Round Rock. Never smoked a cigarette in his life but loved his cigars.He is our age. In his case;you have been diagnosed,7 months max.,your wife just divorced you....how about a cigar? That's what he's doing. Quite frankly,I don't blame him.

Swamp Fox,don't you think that I sweated bullets while my 3 sons were in the zone?Thank God mine came home.That sounds so cheap when other parents have lost theirs.I don't know what to say except what I have just said,I am glad my sons are home safe.I could elaborate but that is not necassary;anyone who loves their children (by western standards) would want them alive.But silly me,speaking as a Christian American parent.

There was a story a couple of years ago about a fellow who expired in his sleeping bag in Yosemite, written up as a tragedy. He had a good day hiking in fine weather, a quiet evening by a campfire, and a well-deserved night's rest. I dunno...

I think I'd rather go out shooting ducks or camping out than laying in a respirator listening to relatives I haven't seen in decades arguing about the estate. And asking the Dr how much longer is old what's his name gonna live. No, oh no, I'm not cynical. Why do you ask?

I sort of maintain a "protection bubble" around me at all times, dying doesn't sound nice and I say, I just don't want to do something stupid, like running off the road to miss a cat (Portland, Or. news) or walking in front of a moving vehicle even though I have the WALK sign and in the crosswalk

Losing your life over a foolish misjudgment has to be the ultimate regret to flash before your eyes in the last seconds of a perfectly good existence.

Shack,
I think you might pick Fox/2/26 of the 5th Marine Division. Of 250 men there were 69 KIA.
Then there were the 2 companies nearly wiped out in Cushman's pocket.

quote:

Originally posted by Shack:
The "died doing what he wanted" is a nice sentimentality for the survivors. For the one who died, it's a meaningless phrase. They couldn't get anything out of it because they didn't know it was gonna happen like that.

But that's obvious, no?

So, I'll add this to the mix.

IF I knew for a fact that I was dying and was somehow given the right to pick the manner, any manner, any place, any time in history, I would without hesitation say -

"I choose to let it be with the Marines on Iwo"

I can't think of any better way...

When I go, I want it to be for a reason, not because I just did something stupid, or decided I needed an adrenaline rush.

I've lived on the edge, and in the fast lane. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. Now I like driving down the Interstate on cruise control, at the speed limit, and watch the crazy b*stards fly by, on their way to nowhere important.

If the man in charge would give me 15 to 20 good years, with my mind intact, where do I sign?

I suppose IF a person COULD live every day like it was his/her last; then when the last day finally came it would be neither a surprise nor a shock. J

If I died while doing what I loved it would would be while doing the opposite of dying.

quote:

Originally posted by NormanConquest:
Swamp Fox,don't you think that I sweated bullets while my 3 sons were in the zone?Thank God mine came home.That sounds so cheap when other parents have lost theirs.I don't know what to say except what I have just said,I am glad my sons are home safe.I could elaborate but that is not necassary;anyone who loves their children (by western standards) would want them alive.But silly me,speaking as a Christian American parent.

Nothing silly about being a concerned Christian parent.