Upon reflecting and pondering the title of this column, the reader in all probability would have used a different title but not wishing to offend anyone’s sensitivity, I decided to use the word ‘departure’ instead of the obvious one. But your guess is what this column is really about.
As a volunteer I visit many who are sick and/or elderly meaning in many cases their life span is drawing to an end, reluctantly but for others it’s with a get- on- with- it attitude. Many are philosophical and accepting about their departure, others steadfastly clinging to even the remoteness of any hope of a future here no matter how brief. But as the saying goes, when it’s inevitable, relax and enjoy it.
Who has not heard someone make the comment on a ‘good’ death? To many this seems like an oxymoron (contradictory statement) since the words ‘good’ and ‘death’ do not ordinarily go together in our thinking. But to some, there is indeed such as a ‘good’ death for instance in the case of someone who has long ago passed longevity expectations and well beyond the promise of pharmaceutical help in other words the pain is beyond relief. Taking care of business in such circumstances would for most be a ‘good’ farewell. But then there are other ‘good’ ways to cash in the chips. I had an uncle in the 1930s who most definitely left this world by prescription that is he got what he wanted.
I’ll call him Uncle Bob a retired mill worker who had plenty to love, his family, his garden, his Model T Ford and way up at the top of his priorities was his love of fishing. He would take any opportunity to hop in his Ford and ride down to the Little Pee Dee River to ‘wet a hook’ even if for only a brief time. The weekends were mostly spent, weather permitting, on the river bank waiting for the ‘big one’ which occasionally found his bait.
Our family members were farmers but also operated a general merchandise business called LEE&LEE established in 1911, and I used to ‘help’ in the business as a clerk mostly as a go-fer. I was probably 9 years old when the news came to me that my Uncle Bob had died except no details were forthcoming. I immediately ran into the store to give the news to my Uncle Charlie who just happened to be weighting a cabbage and when I shouted out the news about his friend’s death, he dropped the cabbage on the platform of the scales which made a loud noise. I have never forgotten his reaction or the crashing sound. But what about the ‘good’ departure?
Although the family was used to long stays by Uncle Bob fishing at the river, still it was getting around supper time and there was some concern when he did not come home as expected so his son went to check on his Dad and became the first to witness his Dad’s ‘good’ departure.
There he was sitting on the river bank holding his fishing pole. Lifeless. Furthermore, on the hook was a fish, his last catch. Who would deny this was a ‘good’ way to go?
To add to the ‘good’ story, it became evident upon further examination that he was saved from falling into the river stream by his bait can. When his life was over, he fell over heading for the river except for his elbow catching on his bait can thereby saving him for the watery grave.
Request granted!
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Bill Lee
PO Box 128
Hamer, SC 29547
