Perhaps only morticians, funeral parlour guys, nurses and doctors, and embalmers are used to dealing with the dead on a frequent basis. And yes the police of course. The rest of us hope not to hear of, see and know of anyone's who's died. We generally tend to disregard this inevitability because it is unpleasant. It makes us sad and mad. All the negative emotions possibly associated with life is part of its end, death. I think I squirmed a little inside when I got my first insurance policy and my insurance guy said "When you die, touch wood, the beneficiary...". Maybe we all do/did. Life and death, the start and the end.
It's harder when those who pass on are young. I die a little inside when I hear of kids lost in accidents. Less so for those who have lived quite some years. I could never volunteer in a kid's hospital. I'd be too upset to be sane.
A little more than a week ago, I received news of an colleague from a previous agency job who met with an accident and a few days later passed away. He is 4 years younger than I am. When I saw the posts on Facebook, I was a little petrified. I sat in my chair in the office not sure of what to think and at the same time thinking of everything. It was a strange, ominous feeling, a weight that started from shoulders, and travelled through my body to my gut. Not many times does emotion manifest in actual physiological response, the only other times is when one is in love and when one's heart is broken. This news put me in such a state. Perhaps what got me was how unexpected the news was. I didn't really know Danny Teo very well and we hung out more over beer on Fridays than work. He was quite entertaining after a couple, and always up for a deep, engaging conversation in the buzz state. I recall him smiling a lot.
The funeral was last Friday and familiar faces from the agency showed up. It was nice to see everyone and chat but the circumstances were awkward and inappropriate for frivolity and enjoyment. Some were more affected by the passing than others, and it showed on their faces.
Death always wakes up the living. People start to appreciate their family and friends just that little bit more, for a little while at least. We cherish those around us and are thankful for the love they've shown us, till the next argument perhaps. It mellows us, tempers our dark sides. Perhaps some of us have become numb to death and destruction with the way TV, video games and movies portrays gore as entertainment. Spartacus, for instance, has given censorship committees lots of 'in your face' blood and guts to ponder over. Well maybe a little numb, hopefully not totally desensitised. When it's real it's different, I hope for humanity's sake.
Be at peace, Danny Danger. We will not forget.
