In the past several weeks we have seen a lot of death or near death. All of those people in my life who have lost or are close to losing someone have me thinking about mortality and what I hope I remember.

I hope I remember my life is not just about me. My life is also about those who love me. If I get sick with a terminal illness I hope I remember that my dignity will not be diminished by allowing those who love me to see me in my final days. Right now, today, I would want to be surrounded by all those who want to be with me.

I hope I remember to allow those who love me to help me. When the time comes for someone to leave my life through their death I hope I can muster the courage to ask for help. I am not so good at asking for, or allowing others, to help me. I hope I remember it is OK to lean on others for support.

When I was a little girl I used to love watching “Little House on the Prairie.” I remember one episode where a friend of the Ingall’s died and Laura was at the grave. The epitaph on the headstone read “Remember me with smiles and laughter for that’s the way I’ll remember you all. If you can only remember me with tears don’t remember me at all.”

I hope I remember the smiles and the laughter for the love of my children…