Hello dear friend,
A few days ago, my step-father
passed away after living with terminal
cancer for 4 years. He died within hours of
the venerable Zen Buddhist monk and beloved
teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh. Nearly everyday
now on my social media, I learn of the
death of one or more people within my
relatively small community of family,
friends, neighbors and
workmates.
The Indianapolis-based insurance
company OneAmerica recently reported that
death rates from mid-2021 on are up a
stunning 40% from pre-pandemic levels among
working-age people 18 to 64. According to
the CEO Scott Davidson, “We are
seeing, right now, the highest death rates
we have seen in the history of the
business.” The majority died of
causes other than COVID. CDC Data shows the
same trend, listing a 40% rise nationwide
in excess deaths among 18 to
49-year-olds.
We are clearly in the midst of a
profound transition for all species on
earth. This has touched each of us in some
way, and I wonder - Rather than turning
away, how can I be present to death in a
way that makes living more precious and
deepens my connection with
Spirit?
