I find things that converge together for me often. It happened again this morning when I was directed … randomly … to a Ted Talk on dying. There a man with but one limb on his body (by way of a weird accident) who gave a stunning eighteen minute portrayal of death. An aesthetic speech that lovingly dealt with death as soft … celebratory. Deflecting much of the agony and suffering that death can more often involve. Be consumed by. The convergence? “Coincidence”? Lunch with my son in law yesterday when he informed me that the family’s beloved golden lab, Annie, was dying of cancer. Had maybe six months to live. We’ve all heard about losing a beloved animal is akin to losing a child. Losing Annie would be no different.

But how did Annie’s impending death converge with the Ted Talk I listened to this morning? I’m always captivated by presenters who speak with tears welled in their eyes. As was the case here. Shows an intimate connection with their subject. The speaker was a hospice nurse with two prosthetic legs and one arm who witnessed death weekly. He had decided to accept its presence with grace, thanks for the lives that passed before his eyes. He described people who knowing they were dying who chose to leave life more wistfully. More with a bit of joy than the suffering and regret that might be the norm. Time to accept this ultimate event we all face vs intensely struggle through it. A time to be … just be. At this time of inevitability. A stunning portrayal of life’s final journey. I teared with him as he spoke.

Which brings me back to Annie. So full of fun and energy. So innocent. So beautifully oblivious to the brief time she has left. Certainly her passing would bring the tears and sorrow death brings on. But like the beautiful guy above so wonderfully put it. Annie’s death could be one of thanks, love, focus on all she had given her “care givers.” Her loving family had decided once they got word of her incurable illness they would take the time left to celebrate her. Love her even more than before. Be there for her while she was being there for them. Wondrously revealing for me.Annie’s death could be life lesson. A way of knowing that death in a very real sense need not be final. So much would live on with all our family when she was gone. In spirit and memory.

A Ted Talk on dying gracefully. A beloved pet whose remaining days could be embraced. A convergence of thoughts and connection that brings joy to me when I think about it. Feel it. Indeed I visited briefly with thoughts of my own death someday. The desire to leave well. Hopefully loved and nurtured in a way similar to the beautiful way others would be loved. Not cringing, lamenting, agonizing. But thanking God for the gifts a life lived well provided. Sharing with one another true feelings that help us grow.And yes choose to be with someone in celebration. Like Annie. As she touched our hearts and souls over years in her own uniquely special way.