Tonight at the dinner table I told my husband about our dear friend whose ex-husband died earlier in the day. We, of course, want to support her and her children during a difficult time. It should be simple. Offered without commentary is tonight’s dinner conversation.
ME: Something terrible happened today.
MR. G: What?
ME: Our friend’s ex husband died.
Mr. G has a look of shock on his face. His mouth is open wide.
MR. G: Oh no. How?
ME: They think it was a heart attack. It was out of the blue, he hasn’t been sick or anything.
MR. G: How old was he?
ME: I don’t know exactly but mid 50’s.
ALEXANDER: [matter of factly] Well that’s in the death range.
MR. G: The what range?
ALEXANDER: The death range. You know, it’s sort of when it’s time to die.
MR. G: [horrified and bemused] When does the death range begin?
ALEXANDER: You know when people hit about 65 they start to die I guess.
MR. G: But we’re talking about a man in his 50’s that’s like 10 years earlier.
ALEXANDER: That’s why it’s a range. You get in the range to die.
I’d give you more details but according to my son I need to hurry up and buy myself a coffin.
Ha ha. I’m glad you didn’t come down hard on him. A Chinese family would have… For saying something say unlucky. I wonder whether it’s the kids way of coping with the uncertainty. For example, my youngest is convinced that we will die in order: so I will go first, then my husband, etc. Not that he’s selfish but this gives something uncertain and scary a certain logic.