Sunday Rest: dementia. Word Not To Use Today.

We aren't as good at dying as we used to be. When we find ourselves at the edge of the cliff we shuffle back painfully, grabbing fearfully at every briar.

Perhaps it's because increasing numbers of us are longer certain what we'll find at the bottom.

Shakespeare spoke of the end of life as a second childishness and mere oblivion, and, you know something? Oblivion seems not such a bad idea when we're travelling towards a cliff.

So I wish we spoke of heading towards oblivion rather than getting dementia. Dementia suggests being demented, and a person demented is not calm, or happy, but angry and confused and frightened. It's a violent, distressing thing, to be demented.

I hope my mind stays okay. But, if it doesn't, let me travel a gentle road towards oblivion.

Please.

Sunday Rest: dementia. This word comes from the Latin word dēmentāre, to drive mad. Mēns means mind.