The cycle of Life and Death...

Few days back, I ran into this conversation with an ol' pal.

While, I do sympathize for the many countless people who die for no reason. Some fighting someone else's battle, others defending what they presume to be right - 'right' by varying degrees and perspectives - again suggested and enforced by someone else's dogmas and philosophies. While others, just plain victims of "acts of God". And still others as collateral damages. Name what you may - the reasons, the fact remains - a life was lost... or many... a lost potential, of what could have been... so many good things and so many positive roles... alas, a life cut short...

And, there are others who die peacefully. Or under normal circumstances, or a diseases or an accident or simply old age. Perhaps, suicide or euthanasia .. Again, a life is lost, causing similar pain and anguish to the near and dear ones.. 

But, there is a difference between these "unlucky" and "lucky" souls. 

The unlucky are reduced to a number that appears as a title of an web-article or a new-paper headline or an absurd 'troll' like above. They mostly die an anonymous death - unnamed and unattended. Perhaps, ending up in mass graves, if their enemies are good-at-heart! Their mothers and brothers may never hope to know, if they still alive or dead! A very small consoling fact remains - they at least died for a 'reason' - never mind that the reason may have been 'hard-wired' into their brains by... circumstances or leaders or fanatics or freedom-fighters... 

The lucky ones perhaps died with all their near and dear ones beside them. Got proper rites and funeral. A few days of mourning... then life as usual - if not few days, perhaps after a few months or a couple years... eventually even they'll be forgotten... and will become equally anonymous...

However, if in later case - if the person is of importance or eminence, perhaps there will be a 'state-mourning' or an tribute for you in some tangible form... a song, a statue, a bust or a street-named after the dignitary. 

So, in effect - how you are treated after you are dead is mostly a matter of, how important/popular you were and what difference you made while you were alive. In any case, once dead it won't be of any consequence to the dead person itself. 

Comparing one death with another, is not a wise thing to do - because there are many 'variables' involved. And even if someone devised a way to compare them (no matter how stupid or how intelligent) - it won't do any good to the dead!

Death and our reactions to it - should be an reminder, that we're all mortals and will, sooner or later, meet the ultimate end. You cannot run from it, nor hide from it. However, what you can certainly do, is lead a life that will compel others to celebrate your end and carry on the legacy and goodness from you ahead to the future times. Instead of, bearing a grudge and animosity against someone who may or may not be responsible for your death.