As we get older the loved ones in our lives will move on to the next phase of existence. The older we get, the more this will take place. We call it death. Is that what it is? As I see it, it is the 'end of the known'. We don't know for ourselves what is on the other side of this mortal veil and for all of this we are afraid, but should we be? We have our beliefs and yet, we do not know what lies beyond. This is fact.
Why not celebrate the passing of our loved ones as well as our own? We get lost in what could have been: Why weren't we closer? Why didn't we make ammends? Why didn't we try and visit more often? Why weren't we kinder to them? Why weren't I a better son/daughter/cousin/grandchild/friend,etc.? There is no end to all of this mental machinery.
Death is the great equalizer. We all face it...period. Death is the end of The Known and the Beginning of Something Unknown. We must cherish our loved ones and hold them in our love and light and let them go on to the next phase of Existence.
I think it is good to ponder our mortality. It makes us take stock of what we have and to cherish that. To be alive is a blessing. We should celebrate life just as we celebrate their lives.
We should love ourselves and love each other in all of our imperfections. Love is the Great Healer.