re: At what age do you really start realizing death is gonna happen in your own life?

I think the age varies depending on external factors such as overall health, age and health of your parents and lifestyle.

For me it was around 45. My mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. My dad also started ailing medically - as was my MIL, which put a huge strain on my wife.

My older brother suffered a massive heart attack and almost died and a year after that, a very close friend of mine passed away from a heart attack.

Suddenly, I started to be strongly aware of how fragile life and existence really is. I’d always known, but now it felt deeply personal and inescapable.

I started thinking about my family without me and how they’d get along and how I want my son to think of me and how I want him and my wife protected from financial struggle when I’m gone.

I don’t get too wrapped up in the existential side of aging and dying - but sometimes I think about it and it makes me both sad and at peace in a way that’s hard to describe.

Yesterday was a beautiful day and I stepped outside into my backyard with my dogs and took a deep breath and felt the cold air enter my lungs - and I thought, “I’m really going to miss all this when I’m gone”. But I also am aware that I won’t miss anything in reality because I’ll be dead. It’s a weird frame of mind. So I try not to think about it as much as possible.

Went to my first funeral when I was 4. When I was about 7 or 8 we had one or two family deaths every year until I was in my 20s. Grandparents, cousins, parent’s cousins, uncles, aunts, a cousin’s suicide…

Intellectually I knew from early on that we ain’t here forever. Getting cancer in my 60s emotionally and unavoidably drove home that fact with a resounding explosion. Cancer is gone but life is different.

Waiting on biopsy results kinda primes the pump on these thoughts for me. How could it not.

Also, pretty sure this is why religion became popular. Trying to answer a question that does not have a answer.

quote:

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I’m 51, and I still can’t comprehend it.

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I've got a decade+ on you and still can't either. I feel great.

I'm starting to wonder instead of a long decline it'll be a stroke or heart attack.

Until then, tango on!

52 years old and catch myself thinking I will be lucky to make it 10 or 20 or even 30 years.
So were not promised another minute, so I ask myself are you happy? If you did die tomorrow did you live a life that you find fulfillment in? Are you living everyday to be happy and make the people around you happy? If not fix it and start living to be happy bc it goes fast, ya blink and 10 years pass. Crazy how fast time goes by the older you get.
I tell all these young kids that money and nice things are great. Being comfortable is awesome and to provide for your family is fulfilling. With that said wealth isn't the most valuable thing in life and surely not the most important thing in life! Time is and its not even close! You can make more money you cant get time back so use it wisely.
You come into this world with nothing and you leave it with nothing. Make as many memories as you possibly can in your life time. Bc no matter what those are the things that count.
How many times do you think about a bike or toy that you got from you mom or dad over the years? Very rare, but how many times do you say remember when we did this or did that or went there? Memories my friends
Dont kill yourself building wealth and then at the end you cant enjoy the fruits of your labor! Slow down and enjoy life before its to late

Sorry, man.

One of my favorite songs to listen to when no one else is in the car. Lamb of God has a few songs that’ll really get you moving.

It really started with me when my Dad died (my mother passed 12 years before him) in 2016 when I was 49. I turned 59 yesterday and it is on my mind each passing year.

Read Ecclesiastes.

I’m 65. My dad died at 64 from brain cancer. Did everything right. Was always healthy. Until he wasn’t. I’ve realized it for quite a while now.