Comments on: Death and Taxes

By: William Berry

William Berry — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 01:23:34 +0000

Of course I remember you Lucy, you were in the first class I taught, and were always negotiating for something more, slides emailed, better grades, easier test questions, etc. lol. It paid off for those that followed.
Thank you for your comment, compliments, and what can I say, I truly feel honored.
In regard to your grandfather’s death, I am glad you are taking something positive from the experience. And it seems the way he lived his life was an outstanding example to all.

By: Lucy Rodriguez

Lucy Rodriguez — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 20:37:34 +0000

Prof. Berry, willyyy, william or Mr. Berry? haha I took your Psychology of Drug use and abuse class the first semester you started teaching and it was today that i found out you had a blog, which by the way is awesome. I just read some of your articles and let me just say that is great to keep learning from someone i admire and actually know and have seen him teach. I decided to comment on this article because i just went through my grandpa’s death a week ago and i think and feel that what you just wrote is exactly what i decided to learn from this experience. My granfather lived a great life but this past year he suffered a lot, not from being sick but because his body and mind slowly but surely was ready to die and the sad part is that he was conscious about it ’till the last month where he just agonized and died.
Anyways, my point here is that although i was pretty sad to see him die i remember him with happiness and admiration because he really took advantage of every minute of his life. When he retired he kept learning languages, reading dictionaries and translators in our house to “keep his mind working” as he liked to say. He acknowledge the fact that someday he was going to seized existing, but that didn’t stop him from growing as a person, as a working brain who was always open to teach and learn from others because, after all, that’s big part of why we’re here for.
P.S: Love the fact that i could keep in touch with you and your ways of reasoning. It’s always good to have your thoughts on life from people you look up to.

By: William Berry

William Berry — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 03:08:29 +0000

I believe that is exactly what existential therapists are talking about, realizing the transient nature of life and embracing it. Good for you.
Enjoy.

By: Graciela

Graciela — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 02:36:20 +0000

The first time I had to deal with the death of a loved one was when I was about 6 or 7 years old and my grandfather died. I was told he wouldn’t come back and I remember crying inconsolably because I couldn’t understand it. The movie reminded me of that moment of pain and grief when you realize that person will never be physically in this world anymore.
As an adult and as I get older, it seems like death happens more frequently around you and you start realizing that you can just go in any given moment.
A few years ago I had a dream in which I saw myself dying from a car accident at the age of 54. If that were the case I will have a little over a decade left. This dream has been my wake up call.
I always saw myself getting older and seeing my kids graduating, getting married and making me a grandmother. After that dream I take my days as they come. I take the time to enjoy nature, my surroundings and the company of my loved ones. I tried not to worry about the unknown and what the future holds for me. I also try to teach my children good values and morals, but more importantly to show them my love every day as if it was the last one.