Someone you know died

How do people think they're supposed to feel?

• Did you hear about Mr. Lewis?
• Our old History teacher?
• Yeah.
• What about him?
• He died of skin cancer a week ago.
• Oh my god... (shockedface)... are you serious?
• Yeah... I know...(resignation, sadness), you never know when it gets you.
• (evokes, imitates sadness). But he was such a good teacher!
• Yeah... you would think he would've at least lived up to his 60s...

blah blah blah.

How do you actually feel?

• Did you hear about Mr. Lewis?
• Our old History teacher?
• Yeah.
• What about him?
• He died of skin cancer a week ago.
• Huh. Ok. Cool.

I even feel a little good for him. Good for him! He has rid himself of all worries! He doesn't have to think about what to wear every day, what to eat every day, about going to work, about getting money, about growing old, about losing weight, about embarrassing sex, self-esteem, diseases! It's all gone! Awesome!

That's what I feel about death. There would be a little regret in me if I didn't manage to get something done with him before he died, but naaah, what does he care now? If there's anyone at a loss for it, it's me, not the dead guy. Dead people roll in the bliss of nothingness. We, the living, are the only ones who are affected by any consequences.