My wife Shirley looked at me the other day and asked “How do you want to die?”….And it was not said in the midst of any fiery confrontation.

My Dad had been under palliative care for quite a few weeks and his body was not giving up the fight – even though his mind was willing for a quick release. Under those circumstances, Shirley’s question was quite appropriately timed.

One thing I know for certain… and it is that I have absolutely no control on how I will die. But here are some scenarios:

• Hit by a vehicle while out riding on the road (probable);
• Bad crash in a bike race (possible);
• Fall asleep at the wheel and crash my ute (probable);
• Someone else run into me when I am driving on the road (possible);
• Falling off a roof (probable);
• Getting cancer (probable);
• Dying of old age (most probable);
• Murdered (possible);
• Getting a heart attack (probable);
• Poisoned (possible);
• Suicide (unlikely).

There is only one way to be born – yet so many ways to die. And each way is a fitting completion to the unique life journey that we embark on. There is no need to fear, confront, be saddened by or feel any different about death than about birth. They are both part of the ‘timeline’.

My Dad died of old age on Monday night. And while it is quite probable that I will journey a similar path, my answer to Shirley’s question is: “It does not matter. But I am sure that the manner of my death will serve its purpose…”