I write this today because a longtime friend of mine died yesterday. I had known him since 1964. My heart is heavy today, but I can find solace in the fact that I knew a kind and gentle person for so many years.

Death is a part of life. It is the earth moving around the sun. It is always in motion and there is nothing we can do to change that. It was here and moving before life even formed on earth and will continue long after all life is extinguished.

My father died when I was just 20. He had heart disease, and his 3rd heart attack ended his life. I cried, I got mad, and I got depressed. In those days I had no idea of how to handle death, or depression for that matter.

The is a single word that we all need to use in dealing with death: “acceptance.” I have heard so many people say that death is not fair, but I always say that, except when death is caused by another human, it is always fair. It is that sort of acceptance that keeps depression away. My friend’s death has given me a heavy heart and with that I can feel the strings of depression tugging but I respond by not allowing such a thing. It is pretty easy actually. A heavy heart is normal and acceptable. When we allow ourselves to have that and to grieve our loss, we can avoid depression. But the grieving process must have a shelf life. If it goes on too long, it becomes self-pity which is always an unacceptable position.

Death will come to each of us and we should all prepare regardless of our age. No one knows the mind of God and therefore, we know nothing of our future or that of anyone else. I am 74 years old and each time I talk to one of my daughters the words, “I love you” are always a part of the conversation because were I to die, even today, they will know of my complete love for them, and for my grandchildren for that matter.