What age is death NOT shocking to you?

[Sleestack]

Shocking might not be the best word. I have known three people who died much earlier than nature would have planned (according to most people) and I always seem to get in a weird funk... that I cant fully explain. Now with Michael Jackson it sort of brought it back. And I wasnt even a fan! I start getting these small feelings of "whats the use? We're all going to die anyway". MJ was 50, which isnt a child by any means, but I think with him he just seemed younger or untouchable maybe?
Am I the only one?

 

[Angelhalo]

Shocking might not be the best word. I have known three people who died much earlier than nature would have planned (according to most people) and I always seem to get in a weird funk... that I cant fully explain. Now with Michael Jackson it sort of brought it back. And I wasnt even a fan! I start getting these small feelings of "whats the use? We're all going to die anyway". MJ was 50, which isnt a child by any means, but I think with him he just seemed younger or untouchable maybe?
Am I the only one?

I think for me its probably anything earlier than 65

 

[Dan Murphy]

I think for me its probably anything earlier than 65

Hey, I will be 65 in weeks.

Age 95 or earlier for me.

 

[EthansMom]

MJ has had some weird health-related issues over the years, so while I wouldn't have necessarily expected him to die at 50 years old, I wouldn't have expected him to have a really long life.

Personally, I think that anyone who lives to age 70 or beyond has "had a long life".

 

[ols386]

I usually think of dieing early as being anytime before the age of around 75.

 

[laurie31]

For me, it's not the age so much as the suddenness of the death that is shocking.

My Dad will be 80 this month. Ten years ago, I would have said someone that age is old, but Daddy does not seem old. He is in excellent health, doesn't take any medications, exercises every day, is active in church, volunteers at a museum, has no problems driving, etc,. You might think he was late 60's if you met him. I would be totally shocked if my Father died anytime soon.

However, my FIL has diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertention, has had a stroke, triple-bypass surgery, and there's more, but you get the idea. We actually have our phone set to ring a loud annoying ringtone when they call so it will wake us up. (a few months age his mom called us at 2am because she was calling 911, and we didn't hear the phone.) I would not be at all shocked if I got a call today saying he had passed. And he's only 69.

(btw, I love my FIL like a second Dad. I would be devastated if he dies soon- but not shocked)

 

[imabrat]

For me, it's not the age so much as the suddenness of the death that is shocking.

I recently lost a friend to brain cancer, she was 16. It was expected so it wasn't shocking, just very, very upsetting.
We had a hall monitor at school pass away in her sleep at age 43, I think. No health problems. That was shocking.

 

[trip]

Over 85 unless there has been a long history of bad health.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

For growing up in a small town, we had an unusually high percentage of child deaths. Three kids in my 120 person graduating class had lost younger siblings. The second funeral I ever attended was for a 10 year old.

I guess what I'm saying is, I have no shock value age.

 

[Ppufi]

I think death at any age is shocking. The suddenness takes you by surprise. It's just strange, having a person suddenly not be in the world.

 

[Stitchfans]

Since I didn't turn 50 gracefully I have now taken on the attitude of it is only a number. My dad will be 80 this January and you wouldn't know it to look at him. IMO he is way too young to die yet. So I agree with Dan. 95 sounds good to me.

Although this past father's day my dad said that he plans on living until he 100 cause the fancy restaurant we went to deducts your age from the bill if you eat there for your birthdday. He plans on taking them up on it.

 

[CathrynRose]

I usually think of dieing early as being anytime before the age of around 75.

Agreed. In the 70's.

 

[SCHBR'smom]

I agree that is much more the suddenness of death, not the age. If someone has been sick awhile, its not as shocking as someone dying suddenly and unexpectedly. That said, I think over 85 is not as shocking, unless there are health issues.

 

[GeorgeG]

I'm old enough to know there is no specific age when people can die. I see a fair number of people around my age (63) dying, but there are so many young people dying, too. The shock is when death comes suddenly and without warning. Death at any age is a sad event. We may be less saddened when we see seriously ill people who have been suffering die because we know they are out of pain, but it's still sad.

I figure each new birthday I celebrate is a good time, especially if I celebrate it at Epcot (which I usually do) and when I can no longer do that I'll just look forward to having a lot of fun haunting. In other words, enjoy life and don't sweat the small stuff!

 

[ols386]

I think death at any age is shocking. The suddenness takes you by surprise. It's just strange, having a person suddenly not be in the world.

That is so true! It gives me an errie feeling when someone, at any age dies, and then all of a sudden, you never see them again (at least not in this world).

 

[SCHBR'smom]

That is so true! It gives me an errie feeling when someone, at any age dies, and then all of a sudden, you never see them again (at least not in this world).

I remember the morning after my dad died (unexpectedly) thinking it was strange how the world simply goes on. How my family's life can be so changed, yet everyone else is going about their normal morning routine.

 

[Stitchfans]

I remember the morning after my dad died (unexpectedly) thinking it was strange how the world simply goes on. How my family's life can be so changed, yet everyone else is going about their normal morning routine.

You know that is so funny. I thought the same thing when my mom passed away and then my brother. Never voiced it out loud though. Makes you stop and think. Yes, I guess life does go on, but as immature as it sounds it makes me feel so insignificant to think my death wouldn't mean much. Only a very small hand full of people would notice or care.

 

[SCHBR'smom]

You know that is so funny. I thought the same thing when my mom passed away and then my brother. Never voiced it out loud though. Makes you stop and think. Yes, I guess life does go on, but as immature as it sounds it makes me feel so insignificant to think my death wouldn't mean much. Only a very small hand full of people would notice or care.

I've thought the same thing, but then I remember that I don't know the whole story. There is a reason for me to be here and things I must do, so even though I seem insignificant in the world as a whole, I must have some purpose.

 

[ols386]

I remember the morning after my dad died (unexpectedly) thinking it was strange how the world simply goes on. How my family's life can be so changed, yet everyone else is going about their normal morning routine.

You just kind of think, "hey, my dad (loved one) died", the world needs to stop, at least for a brief period of time.....but it doesn't.

 

[C.Ann]

I remember the morning after my dad died (unexpectedly) thinking it was strange how the world simply goes on. How my family's life can be so changed, yet everyone else is going about their normal morning routine.

Glad to see I'm not the only one that had a reaction like this.. The day after my dad died, I had to go to the supermarket to pick up some things because people would be stopping by my house.. I remember wandering up and down the aisles in a fog - looking into peoples faces - and thinking, "I bet they still have their dad - and I don't.." Also, for several months after he died, I had to fight this terrible urge to go back to the hospital and look in the room that he passed away in - just to make sure he wasn't there.. Really hit me like a ton of bricks because I was a true blue "Daddy's girl"..

As for the "age" thing - from 80 on I don't find it too terribly shocking - unless it was a tragic death - like a car accident or something of that nature..