A Life Well Lived

Rachel Hawkins - 13 May 16

Seriously, 2016.

This was a trending topic on Twitter towards the latter part of this week.

I’m not surprised if I’m honest, considering the sheer amount of celebrity deaths we’ve had, especially bearing in mind we’re still only in April!

Icons of the music and acting realm have sadly passed away leaving millions of people the world over in a state of shock. Of course, we all know we’re born, we live then we die.  However, how many of us actually give it that much thought?

Perhaps, and naïve as it is, the icons we’ve admired for decades were people we could never imagine dying. We felt they’d live forever.  And although, of course they won’t, their legacy certainly will.  Generations to come will enjoy the music made by Prince and David Bowie and watch the films Alan Rickman starred in.  They’ll laugh at the sitcoms Victoria Wood produced and watch the comedic genius of Ronnie Corbett.  Just like I did when I was growing up.

Death is a difficult subject to give a lot of thought to. It’s something many of us don’t want to contemplate as it’s too painful, too depressing and for me slightly anxiety inducing.

However, as I get older and approach my fourth decade, and in light of recent news, it’s something that has been playing on my mind of late. The very thought of one minute being here and the next minute not is often overwhelming as it is sad.

Throughout my teens and twenties, death wasn’t something that worried me, although I’d had family members and a friend who was only in her 30’s sadly pass away, I felt far too young to let something like death concern me.

I guess with the subject being heavily reported on at present it’s given more weight to the worry. It’s brought it more to the forefront of my mind.

It makes me realise just how short and fragile life really is. It makes me appreciate just how much I want to do in life and all the things I want to achieve and enjoy.

Sometimes, when I think about my mortality, I feel slightly panicked at the thought of being on my ‘death bed’ (for want of a better phrase) and having regrets. I then find myself along the thought process of only regretting the things I haven’t achieved not the things I may have done or said.

Because what’s the point in regretting what you have done? You can’t change it.

Each and every one of those celebrities who have passed away this year have achieved great things. They have a huge legacy, they left their large footprint on the world and indeed on many people’s hearts.  They’ve had an effect on masses of individual’s lives – and just how amazing is that?  What an achievement.  What a life to have led.

Reading the tributes and articles that have been written and paid to each celebrity who has died this year puts things into perspective for me.

Although, as outlined above, it makes me think about death more and leaves me feeling anxious, it also reminds me not to sweat the small stuff.

Put on 3lbs this week? So bloody what, am I going to be remembering that in a few years’ time? Had a row with your other half about something inconsequential the other day?  And what of it?  Is that what you’ll be want to recall and discuss when you’re 75 and looking back on your life?

I’d like to think the thought I’ve given to the celebrities who have died this year and the feelings I have around death will make me appreciate just how quickly life goes. I don’t want it to pass me by and leave me wishing I’d have done more.

I want to live a life that when I (hopefully) reach the age of 80 and am regaling my Grandchildren with tales of my younger years, I leave them impressed, proud and full of ambition. I want to have to invest in an industrial supply of Tena lady due to the amount of laughter I provide myself when regressing to my earlier years.  And I want to be able to say “been there, done that, bought the T-shirt and wore it with pride”.

Rachel Hawkins

Almost 30 year old (eeeek) Mother to one from Bristol. Writing about whatever takes my fancy, mainly due to the fact 140 characters on Twitter and a Facebook status just isn't enough! Passionate about mental health awareness.

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