I don’t think anyone has ever catalogued how many ways a
body can die. Amazing as the human body is, it has no more
hope of surviving a fatal blow than a tree can resist bending
and breaking when attacked by a fierce wind. For many, the
difference lies in whether they choose the way they die, or
whether death is thrust upon them before they are ready to
take their leave. One of the saddest departures of all is that in
which a person has no opportunity to say goodbye, to kiss the
face or hold the hand of a loved one in a final farewell. The
most poignant death is that of the soul, which leaves its earth
life from the cold emptiness of isolation to cross the bridge to
the unknown, entirely alone.