Annals of Gerontology: Last Words

 Father Time With Baby New Year

Time doesn’t heal wounds. A “philosophical attitude” might seem to be the product of advanced years. In fact, you’ll likely be experiencing the same emotions the day you die as the day before and the day before that. The person who never paid attention to you, no matter what you did, will always be a thorn. The one on the other hand who demanded enormous amounts of attention and got it and who exhibited a gluttonous desire to live will continue to tempt you in the most invidious ways. When will you take the plunge? In one fell swoop you could tell them what you think, but you know you’re going to die without having the guts to hit the “reply” button on the computer-generated rejection slip. In your last moments on earth everything that has always bugged you will eat you alive. You will close your eyes and your heart will remain filled with contempt until its final beat. Alfred Jarry famously asked for a toothpick. What will your last words be?

Read Francis Levy's review of Obit., HuffPost