A GREAT ONE HAS LEFT US " ANNETTE FUNICELLO "

4/8/2013
Another great one has left us " Annette Funicello," God bless her and her family,
she brought joy to millions of people , a great Mouseketeer."
Joe..

She was only 70--Sad!
I just read about her MS--Even sadder.

4/8/2013
I always loved Annette, matter of fact I think I was in
love with her, she was such a beautiful young lady, she'll
be missed........
Cheers.......Joe...

The article said she was 70 - that's the age I will be in a few months, and the age my brother was when he died.

I think I would personally prefer to change the subject.

But on the other hand, lately, as I've been reading of so many such "leavings," I cannot help but remember the lines from John Donne's "Meditation 17" (No Man is an Island).

"Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind. So, send not to ask for whom the [funeral] bell tolls; it tolls for thee."

When reaching the age of 70, every day beyond that is a day to celebrate if one is alert.
We see so many leave us in their 50's and 60's. Some make it to their late 80's or even 90's. In many cases, they are unaware of their existence, such as it is.
If one is not alert and knows not what is happening with their lives, it matters not what age they attain. They are already gone. In my view, keeping a body alive without a functioning brain makes no sense.
My grandmother had dementia. Whenever I visited her, she asked me if I was married. My kids were running around her and she asked me if I had children. Then she wanted to know if I had a steady job. In later stages, she couldn't remember eating. She died at age 85 from pancreas cancer.

Abe,
Thanks for that uplifting message.
Was that to cheer Ann up?
I am laughing.

Just the facts as I see it, Alice. Painting a pretty picture for gratification doesn't change anything. We're all going to die, it's just a question of when. I personally don't want to exist if I'm not aware of things around me or can't recognize my own family. Just my personal slant on it.

Abe

I agree--it is still funny. An Eternal Optimist and a Realist in collision.

Ann and I have collided more than once, however there were never any injuries. I think our health-sense (reason) covers these eventualities.

Happiness is a choice we make, and it doesn't necessarily have to depend on circumstances.

Would you rather exist in an unbearable reality, or create a happier one of your own??

And what is reality, anyway?

Annie

"In my view, keeping a body alive without a functioning brain makes no sense."

A lot less expensive for society, too.

Who gets to decide when a brain is "functioning"?

Ann,
Good points!

What if a brain gets stuck in perennial grumpiness?

Find something to do I guess. My doctor always said, "Keep busy."

Very good advice. A busy person does not think gloomy thoughts. No time for it.