The Art of Dying

I learnt earlier this week that my step-father's mother suddenly passed away. While I physically feel very removed from the situation, I could hear the concern in my mother and step-fathers voices when speaking with them on the phone and naturally felt a sense of loss.
Death brings up alot...
Despite it being a natural part of our existence, we are most often unaccepting of it.
I recognize the importance of grieving a loss but I also question if we are sad for ourselves or for the one who has moved on. The doctor said Rod's mother was completely cognizant and in no pain up until the moment her heart stopped beating. Isn't that ideal? Isn't that what we want? She had a lovely Christmas with my mom and Rod laughing and carrying on. She is fine now, but are we?
I am reading a fantastic book "Light on Life" by B.K.S. Iyengar who speaks about how he didn't cry at his own wife's funeral. This may seem harsh, but he writes how he simply believes and trusts that thier souls are forever connected on a much deeper level, even though her physical presence is no longer. He accepts.
Death comes in many forms. Seasons change. The weather changes. Our children grow up and eventually our grandparents die. Nothing is permanent and yet we feel suffering through changes that seem unpleasant.
I have been thinking alot lately about what is in my life that no longer serves me. What is it that I can let go of and move on from? I have to admit I am still accepting living on my own in what feels more and more like a foreign country with few friends. Perhaps it is my time to let go of the thought that somewhere else is 'better' in order to fully live exactly where I am because everywhere we go, there we are!
And like my father likes to say "It's a great day to be alive!" so let's live life to it's fullest accepting the changes and fluctuations along the way!