Angel of Death. Why not Devil of Death? Is the "angel" part somehow supposed to comfort us?
The whole idea of near-death experiences is not the issue here, what is of interest to me are the words that people utter just before they pass away. And, have you thought about the many terms we use to describe death? Pass away, expire, lost, transitioned, crossed over and is at peace are frequently used. These are the polite phrases. We'll leave it at that.
The whole idea of near-death experiences is not the issue here, what is of interest to me are the words that people utter just before they pass away. And, have you thought about the many terms we use to describe death? Pass away, expire, lost, transitioned, crossed over and is at peace are frequently used. These are the polite phrases. We'll leave it at that.
Let's start with the last words of death-row inmates at the moment of their executions. A recent article in Scientific American reported that between December, 1982 and February, 2016, the state of Texas executed 534 inmates, 417 of which "issued a last statement". When the statements were evaluated "through a computerized text-analysis program called the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count", it was learned that there was a remarkable difference between the positive content (9.64%) and negative content (2.65%). Considering the circumstances, the fact that there were any positive statements was a surprise to me.
Especially amazing is that when extensive writings of over 23,000 people were evaluated, the positive percentage was 2.74. So, those being executed by the state for major crimes are more positive than the general population? Even more positive than those about to commit suicide? Why?
Especially amazing is that when extensive writings of over 23,000 people were evaluated, the positive percentage was 2.74. So, those being executed by the state for major crimes are more positive than the general population? Even more positive than those about to commit suicide? Why?
Psychologists Hirschmuller and Egloff, who conducted the study, said that the Terror Management Theory is responsible for the positivity. When we realize our own mortality, an unconscious terror sets in and the words with a positive emotional tone serves as a protective factor against the terror.
In terms of those who commit suicide, the explanation might be what Rutgers University anthropologist Helen Fisher describes as "emotional priority theory". When we face death, our minds are focused on the important emotions in life which are "love and forgiveness". And, love is so powerful that "it can be addictive like chocolate and cocaine".
In terms of those who commit suicide, the explanation might be what Rutgers University anthropologist Helen Fisher describes as "emotional priority theory". When we face death, our minds are focused on the important emotions in life which are "love and forgiveness". And, love is so powerful that "it can be addictive like chocolate and cocaine".
When Michael Shermer, publisher of Skeptic magazine conducted his own analysis of all 417 of those death row final statements, he found that 44% either apologized for their crimes or asked for forgiveness. Fully 70% of the statements "included effusive love language", now that is amazing. Clearly, these men were not terrorized by the thought of death, but "40% of them said they were looking forward to the next life".
I think about Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, who stepped on her executioner's foot while climbing the scaffolding where he was about to take off her head and she asked his forgiveness for stepping on him and explained that it was not her intention to have done so.
Mata Hari, notorious dancer/spy, stood before her firing squad and reportedly blew a kiss to the soldiers and said, "Boys, I'm ready". Class act...of sorts...
I think about Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, who stepped on her executioner's foot while climbing the scaffolding where he was about to take off her head and she asked his forgiveness for stepping on him and explained that it was not her intention to have done so.
Mata Hari, notorious dancer/spy, stood before her firing squad and reportedly blew a kiss to the soldiers and said, "Boys, I'm ready". Class act...of sorts...
So, what are your thoughts? Unconscious terror or the concept that at the moment of death "that people say what they truly feel and believe"?
I think the motivation for their comments completely depends on the context. The inmates had a very, very, long time to think about their deaths and indeed, may feel that they deserve them, if not for the single crime that put them behind bars, but for the cumulative misery they've caused others. That's different than a person dying of injuries in an accident or a prolonged death from disease.
I think the motivation for their comments completely depends on the context. The inmates had a very, very, long time to think about their deaths and indeed, may feel that they deserve them, if not for the single crime that put them behind bars, but for the cumulative misery they've caused others. That's different than a person dying of injuries in an accident or a prolonged death from disease.
When people die from injuries or disease, it is often thought that trauma and medications are responsible for their utterances. How are we to know? What are your experiences? Did the words of your loved ones make sense? My experiences tell me, "Yes, of course". My mother comforted us by explaining that she was "simply going on with my journey". It helped to know that she wasn't afraid.
And then, there was my dear, young friend, only 37, who awoke from a coma as I was leaving her hospital bed where I had laid with her and recalled our times with our sons who were only 7 at the time. She clearly stated, "Don't leave me, Claudie, come with me".
I comforted her by saying that I would be along at some point. It was gut wrenching and scared the daylights out of the doctors and her parents. It was so typical of what she would say. It shook me that she called me Claudie. Only my father ever called me that and she did not know him. He passed 6 years before her. WHAT was going on there?
And then, there was my dear, young friend, only 37, who awoke from a coma as I was leaving her hospital bed where I had laid with her and recalled our times with our sons who were only 7 at the time. She clearly stated, "Don't leave me, Claudie, come with me".
I comforted her by saying that I would be along at some point. It was gut wrenching and scared the daylights out of the doctors and her parents. It was so typical of what she would say. It shook me that she called me Claudie. Only my father ever called me that and she did not know him. He passed 6 years before her. WHAT was going on there?
When we're young, illness and death could not be further from our minds, but at a certain point, around 60, we start to think about how much time we have left instead of how long we have lived. It's an interesting phenomenon.
There are other changes, as well. Older men become more dependent now that they've lost their "itches and urges" and they want to be nurtured while we girls have had it with taking care of everybody else and many of us crave independence and new experiences. Yeah, I like that...ever wonder why older gals don't marry as frequently as older men? Many of us are done taking care of...well, everybody.
There are other changes, as well. Older men become more dependent now that they've lost their "itches and urges" and they want to be nurtured while we girls have had it with taking care of everybody else and many of us crave independence and new experiences. Yeah, I like that...ever wonder why older gals don't marry as frequently as older men? Many of us are done taking care of...well, everybody.
What will be your final words? What will the words be on your headstone? Will you have regrets? Of course! You're human.
Ever been through a cemetery and wondered about the people whose lives are reflected on that marble? What about all of the days that happened between their births and deaths as represented by that "dash"?
Your birth and death don't matter nearly as much as that "dash of days". Your family, friends, job, home, beliefs, values, hopes and dreams are represented by that dash. Make the most of it.
Ever been through a cemetery and wondered about the people whose lives are reflected on that marble? What about all of the days that happened between their births and deaths as represented by that "dash"?
Your birth and death don't matter nearly as much as that "dash of days". Your family, friends, job, home, beliefs, values, hopes and dreams are represented by that dash. Make the most of it.
Have you ever seen this? This is a version of the death clock where you, allegedly, can find out the time when you will die. We're talking day and year! Clearly, this is just a curious exercise, but there are a lot of them to choose from, so they must be popular.
We're so busy living day-to-day that we rarely consider how we will feel at the end. Maybe we should spend some time thinking about those last days so they can influence our choices today.
Anyway, do the best you can. Claudia
Anyway, do the best you can. Claudia
