Posted on by Storytime with John

Death of People.

People keep dying, and I wish we could do something about it.

Not actually stop people from dying in general you understand; I mean that would be ridiculous, a mad scheme of a raving lunatic…something you would pull from a bad science-fiction novel (or something I would write, which is effectively the same thing), so yeah – no. Instead I am suggesting maybe some sort of system where we know when people will say goodbye to the physical world as we know it. That’s all. 

Rickman Phone GIF

I’ll let the technological boffins see to the details and the fine-tuning of the actual logistics of such a thing; I’m more of the Steve Jobs in this situation, barking out grandiose ideas and then coming back once they’re all done to unveil the finished article, (and then taking all the glory). 

You see, I don’t like waking up to news about family who have passed away, which seemed to happen a lot in recent years…and I also don’t like hearing some of my favourite people from the world of celebrity are no longer with us. Just this year we’ve had David Bowie and Alan Rickman, last year it was Gunnar Hansen (Leatherface from the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre), and then 2014 saw the untimely exit of Robin Williams, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Richard Attenborough – I MEAN COME ON! IT’S RELENTLESS!

STampede GIF.gif

You see it’s not just those that are directly related to us that matter. The death of a beloved celebrity can be extremely personal…it goes a lot deeper than just people on the screen, or voices that sing on the radio. Those which connect to us on a deeper level become part of our lives, and as such part of our entire human existence. A movie which once provoked a feeling will forever be remembered, a song can become the background music for an entire section of our life or can spark a memory of past friendships, accomplishments, and possibly even failures. And so when these people leave us, seemingly so abruptly, it feels as if a piece of us has been lost – cut out with a crude tool leaving a Snape sized hole (or whatever it may be!)  where he used to be nestled so comfortably moments before.

It’s the shock which is half of the problem. They’re here, and then the next day they’re suddenly not. Of course the fact that such a life countdown device (still working on a more catchy name) is not available at the moment means we can only attempt to grasp life with as much passion and vigor as humanely possible. We have no choice but to abide by the unforgiving rules of our species, and try to treasure the here and now as that’s all we have. And anyway do you really think a Starman or wizard can ever truly die? No fucking way…not when we can always relisten and rewatch. And even in the void their physical death leaves, you can never scrub away the lasting impression their short burst of life gave you…

David Bowie GIF.gif

I hate the idea of resting in peace – I’d much rather they dance vividly in my memories, just as they did before their deaths…that, in my opinion, is a much better way to view such bitter sadness.

p.s. don’t steal my idea, there’s a patent pending – cheers.

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Please buy my collection of stories! Get it in paperback here – or on Kindle here! ALL proceeds go towards Macmillan Cancer Support, a charity which tries to fight against that which Bowie and Rickman sadly suffered from – let’s do something to change this once and for all. 

Thank you so much ~

37 Replies to “Death of People.”

  1. Fantastic post John. Like you said, because we link songs and movies with eras of our life, when a celebrity dies, it’s almost confirming that an entire era has ended, whereas that doesn’t necessarily happen with a family member or friend (as tragic as that is in its own right).

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    1. Yeah Mike, I saw a similar article talking about how with Rickman passing away so many have been confronted with the loss of their whole childhood to some regard – seemed strong but in essence was true, it reminds you that it is now in the past and with the actor dying is now intangible. I suppose there was a deep personal connection (on a different level) with family and friends, so despite how hard it is you can come to terms with it and use memories to keep you going. Well I have rambled long enough, you got me going there good sir! haha! Apologies, but thanks for reading! 🙂

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    1. Same, I don’t know why – but one I was sad about, but came to terms with it…and the other felt like an all too sudden loss. Probably because Bowie has been on the scene a lot longer, Rickman started relatively late on. Whatever it was we have lost two of the greats!

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  5. I lost one of my dearest friends yesterday. She literally was an angel on Earth, the kind of person you comfortably shared your deepest secrets and thoughts with, knowing they were safe and there was no judgment or criticism. I feel like I did when Obe Wan died though. I know she is out there and no longer burdened by the heaviness of this physical life; yet still it will be lonely. It feels, with so many of those beloved souls leaving at once, like a slow but mass exodus. I never knew any of these stars personally but to the world they have kind of invincibility through film. When they die it breaks our faith in that bigger than life image of them. I have been having an Alan Rickman marathon and am thankful we can continue to enjoy his talent, his gift to the world. The same is true of Bowie, of Williams, Michael Jackson, Hoffman and so many others. I still remember the first actor’s death that struck me this way. It was Christopher Reeve. Superman fell off a horse and was a paraplegic!? Then he died? My world took a real turn then, for he was the first truly iconic hero of my children to leave this world. It reminds us of our own mortality.

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    1. This touched me a lot. I can empathise just as I feel any human can (or should!) as it is such a commonplace emotion when it comes to lost…that it feels sudden, abrupt, and as if there were no warning signs. You’re right in thinking it reminds us of our own mortality…I try to motivate myself with this knowledge whenever I can remember, rather than wasting time or not having respect for the value of life itself. It’s a short flame.

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  7. I grew up on “Labyrinth” and now my kids watch it and love it. And as Snape said, “Always”
    Too many, too soon, and it’s only January 17th…
    I am ok not knowing when I’ll go-gives me reason to enjoy each day instead of watching the clock count down. And i don’t think I’ll rest in peace. I’m gonna go out with a fucking BANG!

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    1. Well that sounds good, I think they lived such a life that they went out with a bang – as it was so sudden! Or seemingly so, not for those which were closest to them I imagine. Definitely like your way of thinking on the subject! And good job on being a cool mother!!!!

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  8. Many people go at many different times. Unfortunatly and fortunately, it is not up to us when some one dies. When it’s there day they do. By disease or by accident, or their body stops working. We are surprised when they’re younger, not so much when they are in their eightees or nineties. The thing is we don’t know and aren’t meant to know when our time is up. But at exactly the time we’re meant to we die and hopefully go to a better place. Yes, it is sad for those left behind but they too will die someday and see their loved ones again.

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    1. Yeah of course, that’s the natural nature of things! Of course it still feels terrible when it happens – I suppose when I was younger I wasn’t aware of such things, or didn’t have such easy access to the news…so it would go by without me realising. Now it seems every other week. Sad but yes, perhaps there is hope of a spiritual reunion.

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  9. Well, I’m doing my part for not-dying by going on into fresh weeks not dying.

    If anything, the David Bowie response indicates how hard it’s going to be for the Internet in case it turns out Betty White is mortal.

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  11. This is very well written and a touching reflection on the lives of such amazing people.

    Oh, you’ve gone and made me start crying at work. You jerk. =P

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  13. Couldn’t agree more, I don’t know why, but people around me always seem to be the barer’s of bad news, and usually it comes up in the middle of a conversation, for example; “Hey you, hows it going?” “Yeah, I good thanks, had a bit of a cold but yeah…” “Oh did you hear about Alan Rickman? How sad is that?”
    O.O “WHAT???”
    *melts into puddle on the floor* *others look at me in confusion*
    This is usually how I’m told such things, and it’s always horrible, no matter how I find out, but it’s loads worse when someone else tells me, like, not only did I not really know them enough to be aware that they’d died, like my Alan Rickman radar is broken on top of everything else, but also that he didn’t even tell me himself! Like seriously! I cried when I found out about Robin Williams, he was my hero when I was growing up, many mornings were spent jumping around the furniture in green tights, bringing to mind my ‘happy thought’ to make me fly…*sigh* Films do indeed make them immortal, but it’s never the same! I still can’t watch the Dark Knight since Health Ledger died 😦 Somehow, just knowing that the film is all you’ve got left of them, makes it too painful to watch.

    You’ll have to lemme know when they make your death-o-metre thingy-ma-jig, I need one.

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      1. Fellow writers never waffle, that’s what non-writers accuse us of but you are right I think many forget the prize is life, and that some will never experience it so enjoy you experience and realise how lucky we’ve been see I’m waffling now 😂😂

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  17. John, I am loving your blog. Anyway, I have had similar thoughts about death and it’s nice to know I’m in good company. The death of David Bowie hit me really hard and then it got me thinking about how much harder I’ll take the deaths of musicians I’ve grown up with. When people my own age begin to die, I don’t imagine I’ll deal with it too well. Here’s hoping that we all go to some Labyrinth-like world where David Bowie is the eternal MC. That makes death seem a little less frightening (for me at least). Cheers! Thanks for writing such an interesting blog.

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    1. Well Jennifer I love that idea…eternal MC 😂

      It just always remains difficult, I wish there was a way to cope with such things but it’s just one of the lows of life I suppose. When a life has been well lived and a person dies in old age, it’s easier to come to terms with but still a huge blow as they are there one minute and gone the next. 😢

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