Arielle — thank you so much for this beautiful comment. It truly means a lot - especially coming from you—I’ve always admired your writing and your deep, wise insights. Grateful for your kind words & support. xo
I don't have the right words to describe what I felt reading this. After a very long time, a non AI written, reflective, original piece. Pulling the strings on my heart and brain and soul at the same time. Thank you for this.
This is exactly the kind of writing that makes the unbearable… bearable. Not by denying it, but by letting it sit on your couch and eat off your plate.
Renu — that means so much. You totally captured what I hope my writing will do... pull at the heart and mind and maybe stir the soul a little too! Thank you for your thoughtful note! xo
Patrick - glad you enjoyed it. I wasn’t sure at first if anyone would appreciate “banter” with Death, but hey, here we are. Thanks for reading & sharing your kind thoughts. xo
Deni — wow, thank you! Your kind words really mean a lot to me. Plus thank you so much for pre-ordering my book! I’m so excited for you to read it Grateful to have you here! xo
I almost have no words. This piece is brilliant. Light but deep at the same time. I felt like laughing and crying at the same time at the level it moved me. It absolutely woke me up. I feel like I will be mulling over my life now in a reframe that’s actually more positive. Because I was aware of the things you were saying but my angle was adjusted incorrectly. I knew it in theory but my feelings were swamping me. This freed me at a time when I’m coming out of trauma that kept me paralyzed for so loons and I’m in the stage called re entry. But re entry starts with an internal change and an internal level of re entry first before it starts to create ripples in your life and becomes visible in the pond of life. Thank you. I feel like I will be sending this post like medicine to so many. Oh it turned out I did have words!
Christiana, Thank you so much for your kind words... and that yes indeed you found those beautiful words to share back! I’m so glad this piece landed with you when it did. And sending it to others as medicine? That means the world. I’m just really honored to be part of your re-entry playlist. Big hug. ❤️
Absolutely love this! I think I mentioned that I did a year-long training on "One Year to Live" based on the book of the same name by Steven Levine, and at 86 death is very much on my mind, not only because of my age but because of the numerous losses that seem to be coming with increasing frequency at this time. I held my husband as he took his last breath in 2011, and any fear of death I had left me then. And just this past June, June 8th to be exact at 5:20 a.m., my heart stopped for 7 seconds (I have an implanted device that monitors my heart rhythm and sends the information to some entity someplace that then sends it to my cardiologist's office). What surprised me was my very first reaction and feeling: it was excitement! I thought "Wow! Like I was dead for 7 seconds while I was asleep!" The feelings were not fear, not dread. Excitement! The next great adventure. I not only have your book, but I just ordered copies for my two daughters!
Patricia, I just want to say how much I appreciate everything you shared here. The way you talk about death... with curiosity instead of fear... it is such a powerful shift, and it really moved me to hear your story and how you've come to this place. So, thank you for that. And truly, thank you for getting the book for your daughters. That means so much... to know the message in my book is being passed forward like that. It’s exactly what I hoped for. ❤️
OMG I love, love, LOVE this article so much! It reminded me of Terry Pratchett's (RIP) irreverent character in his Discworld novels. Humour with a dose of reality - softening it ever so slightly. I love that. I've also had a conversation with Death (or about him anyway - I'm sure he wouldn't mind me talking behind his back! You may be interested in reading this piece I wrote originally a while ago but put up on Substack last year - https://caitlinmccoll.substack.com/p/demystifying-death-lifes-biggest). I think my fave part in your piece (besides the cardigan) was that 'doorways always pinch a bit'. That was a gut-punch (in a good way!). And it's so true that he (she? it? they? Not sure what pronouns Death would use - I guess they, probably, since they're a universal thing) shows up to everyone individually.
Thank you for your thoughtful note! And I love that you’ve written about this too. Totally going to go check out your piece now! And yes, I’m so with you… Death feels like a total they/them.....very inclusive. 🖤😉
Also your new book sounds AMAZING! I've asked my husband to get it for my birthday next month! :) (his reply was: a book about death for your birthday?! ohhkaayy...lol)
LOL :) Well... even though it's a book about "death" - it's actually really a book about meaningful living... it's a reminder that we're here... then we're not... and it's up to us to make that HERE part joyful, love-filled, fulfilling!!
Yep, I get it! 😄 (I've read a book on that same theme years ago). It's a very Stoic (as in Stoicism) and Buddhist way of thinking about death as a way to highlight the meaningful-ness of life.
Yes I read your marble piece recently! It's great but terrifying 😱 not sure I'm quite ready for the marble jar yet. Even though I know it's a great practice for really hitting home the finitude of life, but it's too concrete for me and makes me want to run screaming into the hills! 😬 it's like the practice of calculating how many Mondays you have left. That's a super sobering practice, but has the same kick up the pants...but eeee makes me break into a cold sweat! 😅
This is a deeply moving and beautiful essay. Also the irony of the timing of finding this essay after having wished it to already be 2026 is not lost on me. I think I’ll take back that wish and put my phone down for a bit.
Thanks for this thoughtful note - and I've done this too... wanted to mentally fast-forward through the hard or boring parts of life, only to realize I’d be skipping important parts of my life. Glad this piece found it's way to you! xo
wow! thank you Michaele! (psssst... if you like the essay... you might also resonate with my new book about death awareness.. "Your To Die For Life" which inspired the essay.. I hesitated to mention this here... but then... I thought.. you might truly enjoy my book ... because it philosophizes more on this topic! xoxox
Tee - what a beautiful note ...& that's exactly what I was aiming for... to make the scary stuff of death feel a little less scary... Plus I appreciate that you called it art. Thank you!. xo
This was great. Very very insightful! People are not taught during childhood to live every moment, to be present. They see their parents and everybody around them rushing through life. It's the culture... So blind :/
(BTW, 6 years ago I started a comedy novel about death based on a stand up comedy skit by a guy I was dating then. But my character was female.)
Ana — thank you so much! I couldn’t agree more... rushing has become the default setting for so many, and it’s heartbreaking how early we learn it.
And your comedy novel idea? I love the concept—and the world definitely needs more humor and insight about death. I hope you’ll pick it back up. I’d be first in line to read it! xo
Deep, beautiful, meaningful and a great reminder that death is just a finger snap away
! Brava Karen.
Arielle — thank you so much for this beautiful comment. It truly means a lot - especially coming from you—I’ve always admired your writing and your deep, wise insights. Grateful for your kind words & support. xo
I don't have the right words to describe what I felt reading this. After a very long time, a non AI written, reflective, original piece. Pulling the strings on my heart and brain and soul at the same time. Thank you for this.
This is exactly the kind of writing that makes the unbearable… bearable. Not by denying it, but by letting it sit on your couch and eat off your plate.
Aww... Susan! Love the way you expressed that! Thank you!!
Renu — that means so much. You totally captured what I hope my writing will do... pull at the heart and mind and maybe stir the soul a little too! Thank you for your thoughtful note! xo
Thought provoking and accessible. Such an important lens to make sense of this inevitable ending.
Brenna — thank you!! ... I was hoping this would offer a gentler way to think about something we all face.... but rarely talk about. xo
Thank you for this. Very much enjoyed this. Profound thought and banter in a tranquil way.
Patrick - glad you enjoyed it. I wasn’t sure at first if anyone would appreciate “banter” with Death, but hey, here we are. Thanks for reading & sharing your kind thoughts. xo
Amazing! I pre-ordered your book because this is truth and wit in a rare combination.
Deni — wow, thank you! Your kind words really mean a lot to me. Plus thank you so much for pre-ordering my book! I’m so excited for you to read it Grateful to have you here! xo
Will be sharing your Interview With Death with friends. 🙏
Michaele - Thanks so much! Happy this resonated!! xoxo
I almost have no words. This piece is brilliant. Light but deep at the same time. I felt like laughing and crying at the same time at the level it moved me. It absolutely woke me up. I feel like I will be mulling over my life now in a reframe that’s actually more positive. Because I was aware of the things you were saying but my angle was adjusted incorrectly. I knew it in theory but my feelings were swamping me. This freed me at a time when I’m coming out of trauma that kept me paralyzed for so loons and I’m in the stage called re entry. But re entry starts with an internal change and an internal level of re entry first before it starts to create ripples in your life and becomes visible in the pond of life. Thank you. I feel like I will be sending this post like medicine to so many. Oh it turned out I did have words!
Christiana, Thank you so much for your kind words... and that yes indeed you found those beautiful words to share back! I’m so glad this piece landed with you when it did. And sending it to others as medicine? That means the world. I’m just really honored to be part of your re-entry playlist. Big hug. ❤️
Absolutely love this! I think I mentioned that I did a year-long training on "One Year to Live" based on the book of the same name by Steven Levine, and at 86 death is very much on my mind, not only because of my age but because of the numerous losses that seem to be coming with increasing frequency at this time. I held my husband as he took his last breath in 2011, and any fear of death I had left me then. And just this past June, June 8th to be exact at 5:20 a.m., my heart stopped for 7 seconds (I have an implanted device that monitors my heart rhythm and sends the information to some entity someplace that then sends it to my cardiologist's office). What surprised me was my very first reaction and feeling: it was excitement! I thought "Wow! Like I was dead for 7 seconds while I was asleep!" The feelings were not fear, not dread. Excitement! The next great adventure. I not only have your book, but I just ordered copies for my two daughters!
Patricia, I just want to say how much I appreciate everything you shared here. The way you talk about death... with curiosity instead of fear... it is such a powerful shift, and it really moved me to hear your story and how you've come to this place. So, thank you for that. And truly, thank you for getting the book for your daughters. That means so much... to know the message in my book is being passed forward like that. It’s exactly what I hoped for. ❤️
OMG I love, love, LOVE this article so much! It reminded me of Terry Pratchett's (RIP) irreverent character in his Discworld novels. Humour with a dose of reality - softening it ever so slightly. I love that. I've also had a conversation with Death (or about him anyway - I'm sure he wouldn't mind me talking behind his back! You may be interested in reading this piece I wrote originally a while ago but put up on Substack last year - https://caitlinmccoll.substack.com/p/demystifying-death-lifes-biggest). I think my fave part in your piece (besides the cardigan) was that 'doorways always pinch a bit'. That was a gut-punch (in a good way!). And it's so true that he (she? it? they? Not sure what pronouns Death would use - I guess they, probably, since they're a universal thing) shows up to everyone individually.
Thank you for your thoughtful note! And I love that you’ve written about this too. Totally going to go check out your piece now! And yes, I’m so with you… Death feels like a total they/them.....very inclusive. 🖤😉
Also your new book sounds AMAZING! I've asked my husband to get it for my birthday next month! :) (his reply was: a book about death for your birthday?! ohhkaayy...lol)
LOL :) Well... even though it's a book about "death" - it's actually really a book about meaningful living... it's a reminder that we're here... then we're not... and it's up to us to make that HERE part joyful, love-filled, fulfilling!!
Yep, I get it! 😄 (I've read a book on that same theme years ago). It's a very Stoic (as in Stoicism) and Buddhist way of thinking about death as a way to highlight the meaningful-ness of life.
Yessss!! And it also has philosophies from there & other places & poignant, powerful tools - like starting a Mortality Marble Jar... which I share a bit about here... https://notsalmon.substack.com/p/i-have-432-months-left-to-live-if
Yes I read your marble piece recently! It's great but terrifying 😱 not sure I'm quite ready for the marble jar yet. Even though I know it's a great practice for really hitting home the finitude of life, but it's too concrete for me and makes me want to run screaming into the hills! 😬 it's like the practice of calculating how many Mondays you have left. That's a super sobering practice, but has the same kick up the pants...but eeee makes me break into a cold sweat! 😅
This is a deeply moving and beautiful essay. Also the irony of the timing of finding this essay after having wished it to already be 2026 is not lost on me. I think I’ll take back that wish and put my phone down for a bit.
Thanks for this thoughtful note - and I've done this too... wanted to mentally fast-forward through the hard or boring parts of life, only to realize I’d be skipping important parts of my life. Glad this piece found it's way to you! xo
Everyone I shared your Interview With Death with liked it very much & had good things to say 👌🏻
wow! thank you Michaele! (psssst... if you like the essay... you might also resonate with my new book about death awareness.. "Your To Die For Life" which inspired the essay.. I hesitated to mention this here... but then... I thought.. you might truly enjoy my book ... because it philosophizes more on this topic! xoxox
Some comments from friends I sent your blog to:
“ Well, refreshing point of view and good slant on death. Enjoyed the Read”
“ It is so refreshing to know that he was wearing a sensible cardigan lol………that tickled me for some reason but it sure made him less scary too lol x
thanks for sharing that ❤️❤️❤️
you’re so sweet to share this!! Thank you! tell them thank you too !
So beautiful. Wisdom and truth packed in a sweet conversation that humanizes our deep secret fear and denial, death. Thank you for this beautiful art.
Tee - what a beautiful note ...& that's exactly what I was aiming for... to make the scary stuff of death feel a little less scary... Plus I appreciate that you called it art. Thank you!. xo
I read. I listened. Thank you.
Laura — and I appreciate both. Truly. Thank you for being here and taking the time. xo
I have put the email in my Keepers so I will be able to go back to it as a reminder when life feels so unfair.
I'm touched by this.. thank you! xoox
This was great. Very very insightful! People are not taught during childhood to live every moment, to be present. They see their parents and everybody around them rushing through life. It's the culture... So blind :/
(BTW, 6 years ago I started a comedy novel about death based on a stand up comedy skit by a guy I was dating then. But my character was female.)
Ana — thank you so much! I couldn’t agree more... rushing has become the default setting for so many, and it’s heartbreaking how early we learn it.
And your comedy novel idea? I love the concept—and the world definitely needs more humor and insight about death. I hope you’ll pick it back up. I’d be first in line to read it! xo
Yes. Scheduled activities for the children. Every day busy. So many toys... This is why love going to nature, go hiking, do picnics...
Yes, if I ever finish that comedy novel I'll let you know. I see the character played by Amy Schummer :D
Have a lovely weekend!
Great story, wry, wise and believable.
Michele — thank you so much! That means a lot to me. I was hoping to strike that mix. 😉 So glad it resonated with you! xo
So true
Thanks! Happy you enjoyed... xo