Dear Editor,
I saw on a tombstone this epitaph:
Pause Stranger, when you pass me by, As you are now, so once was I. As I am now, so you will be, So prepare for death and follow me.
An unknown passerby read those words and underneath scratched this reply:
To follow you I’m not content, Until I know which way you went.
Editor, this begs the question, why are human beings so afraid of death? If we know for certain that we are going to a better place, why are we so afraid of dying?
I am not afraid to die. I have lived a long life and have accomplished great things. I have even exceeded in things I never imagined I would. In addition, I have witnessed many people die so I’m comfortable with facing death. Most importantly, I am a Christian and I am certain that I am going to a better place.
I have seen countless people die on the battlefield. I even placed some of the dead in body bags. I have held the hands of countless dying people and I have heard countless deathbed confessions. I have spent countless hours comforting the people who were dying. I have seen countless people take their last breath. I have touched and smelled dead decaying bodies. In a twenty-four hour period, I witnessed eight people die on a Christmas.
There is no cure for death. It’s indisputable that death is the greatest human fear. Death is feared because of its unknown.
Death is our enemy because every person wants to live forever. No one can escape or defeat death. It’s universal, it’s indispensable and it certainly doesn’t discriminate. Lastly, it conquers all. Even if some people know that they are going to a better place when they die, they are still afraid of death.
From my experience with people dying, I have learned to live a better life. I have learned to live every day as if it’s my last day on earth. I have learned to live and plan for the future and not just for today. I have learned the things that are truly important in life.
Many of the dying have shared with me their regrets, fears and hope. Some talked about their failed marriages and broken relationships with a family member. From their experiences, I have learned to live and try not to do anything to make me have regrets. I learned that most people are afraid of death up until they take their last breath.
Editor, simply put, I’m not afraid of death because I know for certain that I am going to a better place.
Editor, most people rarely talk about death even though they know it’s inevitable. Take for example the current Covid-19 pandemic, not many people are comfortable talking about the amount of deaths it has and will bring. More people are talking about the recent Guyanese election than they are talking about dying.
Editor, Covid-19 reminds me of this common saying:
“Dust to dust. Ashes to ashes.
Dust we are and dust shall we return.”
Yours faithfully,
Anthony Pantlitz
