We don’t want to die alone – the case of Monothanatophobia

We were on the deck smoking a cigar discussing life and concerns of how someone is always seeking a partner in life, no matter how old they are.  The older male is seeking a relationship with the older or maybe younger female.  And my son-in-law stated that, “no one wants to die alone”.

No one wants to die alone.  Yet, we all die alone.  Just like we can’t take our treasures, we are naked and alone when we die.  “But I don’t want to be alone” cries the man as everyone stands around him.  Nope, that path you must journey alone. 

But back to the original thought, we seek that companionship that will bring us a sense of piece.  And I think it does not matter the age.  Too many youth think they must have a close, even sexual, relationship so as not to be alone.  In one article the fear of dying alone drives people into bad relationships.  And I won’t get into the 24 signs you will die alone.

I was looking at a LinkedIn account and responded to a request to become part of the individual’s network.  He writes and states now that I have 9,000+ second level contacts.  Really?  So I was thinking, how many contacts to do I need?  Do I need more?  And what will these contacts do for me?  Walk the dog?  Be there when the doctor is telling me I might have cancer?  Will they be by my side on my death bed? 

Regardless of the contacts on Facebook and LinkedIn I know that in the end I must face death alone.  And last check everyone will have to deal with that one non-negotiable event all by themselves.  See the Richard Pryor picture – interesting.

Now here is a view that theologians have regarding this (writing now as a theologian) is this, will you walk this path alone?  And where will this path take you?

The art of living well and the art of dying well are one. Epicurus

None of us, in our culture of comfort, know how to prepare ourselves for dying, but that's what we should do every day. Every single day, we die a thousand deaths.  Joni Eareckson Tada

bad relationships

24 signs of dying alone