A lesson from "The Mummy" films of 1999 and 1932
I don't like to think about how I’m going to die. I imagine most people are like me in this respect. My demise was inconceivable at age 10, purposefully ignored at age 20, and now at age 40 peeking up for my attention.
Why do I fear Death, shun Death, ignore Death? Three little reasons: pain, deterioration, long death throes. Think about how these aspects of death worked out for Imhotep in "The Mummy" of 1999.
- Pain: mummified while still alive; eaten very slowly by scarabs
- Deterioration: from handsome to decayed and "juicy"; from religious leader to hunted prey
- Length of Death Throes: 3 millennia!
What does this all lead to? Think about the worst-case scenario. In the 1932 film "The Mummy," of unearthed Imhotep it is said that he “looks as though he died in some sensationally unpleasant manner.” Just so we are all clear on this one point, let me spell it out: I do not want to have that said about me. Nope. No way. No, thanks. I’m aiming for something more like “peacefully at home surrounded by close family and friends”; or “suddenly while swimming in the turquoise waters off Bermuda”; or “calmly while penning the last line of her highly-anticipated next novel.”
What would I see as an acceptable death? Something that is quick, happens while I’m having fun, and causes no suffering for my family and friends. But on that, and any further details of any sort of “ideal” death, I still refuse to dwell.
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