Learning from Death

I heard from mom that uncle passed away, sad yet not surprised…what puzzled me is that how would his family treated him. He has always been a generous, caring person to all and has made the most money in the family (as a doctor) yet malnutrition and negligence took his life.

It also puzzled me that he had choice to leave his family when he could but didn’t. He could also setup will not to leave his family anything yet he didn’t. He is a doctor yet not a cooperative patient. He seemed to give up himself after his hand injury.

However, looking in another way, uncle has always a kind and generous person, perhaps as Buddhism said, he came to this life to pay back his debt in the past life, to give back, even to mistreated family, or furthermore, he wished his good deed could redeem for his family. 

Mom chose not to attend her brother’s funeral. She wants to remember the better memory of him. 2 years ago during Covid peak, she didn’t even have vaccination due to shortage (uncle did as a doctor). She accompanied him everyday for physical therapy, otherwise, he wouldn’t go. Mom and dad took uncle to see different doctors and had variety of treatments throughout. Uncle lived 3 more years because of mom. To both, death is a relief, no more suffering, neither regret after doing above and beyond.

Most importantly, live our lives fully as we can and do good to others no matter what.