What YOU have to Say About Death and the Afterlife: Part 3

"I haven't lost anyone close to me in a long time. I consider myself fortunate in that respect. The last loved one that I lost was before I was old enough to grasp what loss. But I still remember my grandfather. I'll always remember him. When I inevitably losr a loved one, i will mourn the loss. I'll miss them, but I'll also hope. I'll hope that whatever happens, wherever they go after they die, they'll be happy. I'll remember them forever, and keep them alive in my heart for as long as I live. But I'll also share their life, their memories with others, so they can live on even after I'm gone. -Smurfnhat-"

"well when my best friend ggreg past away in september it was just like when i break up with a long time boyfriend cause i stop eating and the only thing i can think about is him and i started to miss a lot of school and it was like i didnt say a word for at least a week to anyone - and i didnt even meet him in person cause i met him over a chat line on the internet and i live up here in canada and he lived in chicago in the us - and it was just horrible and still now 2 months later i cant stop thinking about him"

"It's always very hard to know you won't physically be with your loved one. I learned that if you look for signs and pay attention around you, you can feel their presence in a spiritual way, until you meet again.."

"Words cant describe how one feels when they loose someone that is close to them.. You never really get over such a loss, so the time to completely is like eternity... you never really get over it.."

I havn't really lost anybody important to me, but this is my view: I would most probably go through the stages of grief. I'd feel like there was a part of me that is empty and can never be replenished, but after a while I'd realize it's not the end of the world, and I'd move on hoping they are doing well in the afterlife, wherever that may be. Oh, and I have something to say regarding the afterlife, and since there wasn't a blank on this survey for it, I'll state it now. Ok, for a while now I've been thinking about our minds. Now, at 15 I don't have a great deal of knowledge *Although I am Pretty Bright for my Age*, but this is how I figure: I'm sure you've heard the statement that we as humans only use about 8% or less of our brain power. Maybe, just maybe, that other 90+% is making our afterlife based on what we think will be there. If we picture the Christian ideal of heaven, that's what we'll get. If we picture ourselves just dying and no afterlife, that's what you'll get as well. Now, I'm not sure if I really believe that, but I just think it's a neat thought and I'd like to think it's right, because I am sure of one thing: there isn't ONE right religion. If there were, only a small fraction of the world that followed that religion would go on to their "heaven" and the other religions would rot in hell. I don't think so. I think as long as you're a nice person and you're not a jerk, everything will work out in the long run. Thank you and I must compliment you on your fantastic site!"

"When someone passes away that I cared about the extent of my loss is only physical. If you keep them in your heart and remember them, then you never turely lose them. I deeply feel thier passing, but never for long because I know that they are going to a better place and that they are never turely gone from you."

"The deaths that I have felt most deeply in my life are my friend Ted (died in a car crash), my grandmother, my dad and John Denver. I also deeply feel the deaths of trees, plants, animals (especially pets), and people I hear about in the news, but my father's and John Denver's deaths hit me hardest."

"The extent of the loss is their warmth and love as well as their physical presence. I feel it deeply for a few months but then it fades. Though I do always miss them."

"i dosen't efect me that much because i can keep in touch with anyone as long as i beleive in what i practice and don't let it efect me on a deeper level......"

"I am dissapponted they are not at arm's legnth and feel loss because I can not share with them things that are going on in my life. I miss the support and love (You can never have enough of that) But I am happy they do not have to experience the pain anymore I am almost enveous."

"This depends on the depth of my bond to the person and how they choose to communicate in the afterlife. I feel their ability to reach out to us is affected by their continued work and what is allowed."

"it truly depends on the person to me if it were the woman i love i would loose part of my soul she is every thing to me. If it were my mother of my father i would have lost the child in me."