What I learned about death in Mexico…by Karl Moore

I just stood there, letting it all sink in…

I was listening to a Mexican folklore tale about the afterlife.

It started like this:

There are three deaths: the first is when the body ceases to function. The second is when the body is consigned to the grave. The third is that moment, sometime in the future, when your name is spoken for the last time.

Those last few words haunted me.

That point in the future — perhaps way into the future — when your name will never be mentioned again.

It’s actually a little scary.

But think about it. That moment will happen.

And it’s a stark reminder that — no matter how much we think otherwise — life is just a handful of fleeting moments.

There was a past without us, and there will be a future without us.

It’s a reminder that we need to embrace life in this moment. It’s designed for living, and nobody is getting out alive.

So, the next time you’re stressing out over minutiae — take a moment to consider this piece of Mexican folklore.

As the closing song in Avenue Q concludes…

Each time you smile… It’ll only last a while.
Life may be scary… But it’s only temporary.
Everything in life… is only for now.

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