I agree, Ann. When you've lived as long as we have, you know you can survive what you thought you couldn't, that you don't miss what needed to go as much as you thought you would, and that nothing, absolutely nothing, is permanent.

This piece reminded me of a conversation I recently had with my friend Gina. She said she hopes death comes as a surprise - while she sleeps or a sudden accident. I said that I want to know ahead of time and I wish the date and time of my demise could be so exact that I can calendar it, just like a dental appointment. Yep, my OCD is strong and healthy!