Like most people, I really got in touch around age 50 with the fact that one day I will be no more, and now in my late 60s that day is much closer. Unlike most people I'm not even pseudoreligious, so I have no expectation that there'll be any Me left after my body dies. I think it's saddening when someone like Susan dies at a younger age than most, and especially when everyone has to suffer in anticipation, but compared to Time itself, none of our lives last longer than the flicker of a candle flame. I won't say that's comforting, exactly, but it does feel as tho it at least puts our mortality into perspective. For me, anyway.