What made you realise 'life is short'?

[luciferonearth]

Just looking for a little bit of perspective. I stress about the day to day, but then think 'in 100 years from now we will all be in our graves, and none of this will matter.'

I find the finality of death a bit comforting in that way. I would hate to live forever but I think it's easy to feel like we will when we worry about the little things.

Death of my dearest friend to cancer. She was 57

Oh goodness. So many sad stories that I am in tears now.
I am late 50s and I am overwhelmed all the time with a general feeling of shock when I think of all the years that have slipped away. I tried to make the best of them and appreciate them I think but I feel I could've done more.
I have had several bereavements in the last few years and it is sad to realise that you can never have back the wonderful days when all your loved ones were here with you.
I struggle so much with being upbeat about the future and find myself constantly overwhelmed by nostalgia and a longing for the past.
So this thread has made me realise I need to grasp the day and not waste time in regret or trying to recapture the past which has gone forever.
Sending love to all those dealing with loss and illness .

This thread makes for sad reading.
Puts things in perspective though.

@00100001

Dad died unexpectedly overnight

Yes, my mum did the same in her fifties

It did put things in perspective...sort of, but it didn't make me any less anxious tbh. Possibly the opposite.

I actually am much better equipped to say life's short and enjoy it when there is less dramatic stuff going on. I reduce contact with people who are unecessarily dramatic sister. It is fantastic!

I am an oncology nurse. Everyday I am reminded of how short and precious life can be.

My dh being diagnosed with stage 4 terminal bowel cancer at 38, he was given 12-18m to live with treatment, thankfully he's still here 2 years later. We still don't know quick it will be as the cancer has spread in so many places. We take each day as it comes.

A friend’s husband died last year totally unexpectedly while she was pregnant with their first much longed for child.
I’ve never really known anyone young who has died before so it really shocked me into appreciating things more and not putting things off until tomorrow.

Having Septecimia and being told by a Nurse, that it was very close run thing! (Also being a little bit overweight helped me to deal with it with a good outcome) Took a long time to feel right again though!

My Mum dying at 55. She was diagnosed with terminal cancer and died less than five weeks later.

My best friend has heart failure. She was in her late 30s when she needed a triple heart bypass and pace maker fitted.

I lost two friends last summer - mid/late 30s.

Life is far too fucking short.

I've also lost an aunt and an uncle, both at 50. One to suicide, one to very sudden and unexpected death.

Sudden deaths, Life is so short and so precious yet we get bogged down by the everyday shit that happens and sometimes it can take over. I try to find joy in something everyday.

Family members dying made me realise life is short.
Equally family members who never cared about money and never saved didn’t have a very good life when older.
Within certain boundaries I live life for the long game and if (touch wood) I’m one of the unlucky ones who drops dead early I won’t have any regrets about not spending more time with anyone blah blah just anger at how unfair it is. But that’s life

I was 11.
I vaguely registered that there was a police car outside the house.
I didn't realise that the policeman was in the house informing my mum that my dad had died suddenly in the street a couple of hours earlier.

I grew up with a severely disabled relative. They died an old person in their 40s.

This is why I resent wasting the good years of my life on Covid restrictions.

My DH killed, 39 years of age. Being a widow at 37

When my mum died suddenly last year she was the healthiest person I knew , only 63 so many plans so full of life. My best friend. Gone forever

My Dad dying of cancer. He was always really careful with money and worked really hard and saved for years for a retirement which he never got. I wish he had enjoyed his money and time more whilst he could.

I'm not saying don't plan for retirement etc, but there has to be a balance in life between living for the moment and planning for the future.

So many sad stories, here. For me it was losing my best friend at Xmas age 44. She had been very ill with cancer from her late 30s. Also my parents years of ill health before they died.

I lost my brother recently. He will forever be etched in my memory as a 31 year old, and he never got to meet his niece 💔

Burying three good friends before the age of 21. The oldest of the three was 32. The youngest was 9.

Tomorrow is absolutely not guaranteed.

My wonderful and totally healthy till that point aunt and uncle died in a couple of years of each other at 60. Made me realise there’s no value in putting life off till retirement- you need to live your now (they did thankfully).
Then last year in lockdown a friend died in early 40s leaving her five year old and husband. Which brought it even closer to home.
We still plan for the future but also try to live for today.

My brother dying of cancer 6 days after going into hospital feeling poorly. He was 24. Life really can change so quickly (for better or worse). When he died I made a promise to live life to the full as much as possible because you really do not know when your life will end. Condolences to all those on this thread who have lost loved ones

Being close to death a few months ago, I distinctly remember the moment that the "next room was waiting". I wasn't particularly scared but that feeling has stayed with me, I'm trying to get back to normal health. Every now and again I get that feeling, I think trying to "live you best life" mentality can be exhausting, but I think being kind to yourself and others is important and makes life worthwhile.

Nobody lies on their death bed and thinks of work or money, it's family and relationships.

My dad died suddenly at 49. My DH is almost that age now and we have young children. Can’t imagine losing him at this stage in life. I always feel emotional when I see someone celebrating a 50th birthday.

I’m 28 and have neither parents alive. It puts things in to prospective, to live for the day and make as many memories as possible. My dad died at 42, my mam at 45.