I love discussing this topic with you, Susan. I haven't had a lot of friends who are willing and open about embracing death. When, in recent years, I began to except that the struggle I created for myself by trying to control everything and everyone around me was rooted in fear, and I started living a more day at a time, existence, the fear that escorted me through life began to dwindle, and then to evaporate. When I let go of fear (and I have to re-up all the time, remind myself), my life began to expand in ways I could never have imagined. I hope more people will join this conversation. The best way to diffuse and de-fuse the power of the patriarchy for me, is to have no fear. Then, the whole mess looks very different. Reb Nachman of Breslov is known by this quote/prayer, Kol Ha'olam Kulo; "The whole entire world is a very narrow bridge and the main thing is to have no fear at all." It's one of the most beautiful nigguns I know. It's sad and sweet and fortifying. My therapist instructs me to talk to fear. She says, "fear get behind me," or "fear, what do you want me to know?" Life is beautiful. Death is beautiful. Life and Death. Embracing contrast is the only way I can live now. It makes so much sense to me. xo