I know it sounds crazy, but I don’t want to die drunk or stoned. You never know, if there is an afterlife and if it is really good, who wants to be drunk or stoned?
I think the same could be said for people with broken hearts or other emotional traumas which leaves their souls deflated and barely alive.
I believe many of these people can see better days on earth.
There was a fellow walking in the mall with his mom one day. He looked to be in his twenties and clearly mentally retarded.
He said “Hi” to everybody he saw and nary a response. He didn’t wait for a response, but kept on going, until he met me.
His head was bobbing up and down and his right arm was in that funny position with his hand up like a claw.
“Hi”, he said, walking by without waiting for a reply.
“Hi,” I answered and added, “Looks like your having a great day today!”
He took a few steps and then realized someone actually answered him.
He and his mom both turned to look at me with smiles on their faces. He was so excited he started doing a dance.
Life is beautiful! 
Pretty nice post, I really enjoy read your blog
oh the joy of aknowledging and being aknowledged–seen–I wonder if the reason many people pass without making a reply is due to their own fear of imagining themselves in that young man’s ’shoes’. a wave for a wave, a ‘hi’ for a ‘hi’…seeing each other…
Hi 47whitebuffalo;
There is an old adage, “Smile and the world will smile with you.”
I and most others forget that at times.
I worked with my “mentally handicapped” peers throughout school. I quickly noticed that I had more in common with them than the rich, arrogant bastards who considered themselves “my friends”. I spent time teaching them, and organizing games. It was an honor really. I didn’t even see them as handicapped or crippled, I saw them as liberated. They ended up being the teachers, and I learned to live life in the moment, and let yourself be happy. I still talk to some of them, or their families…some of my longest standing friendships.
Hi sleepyeagle;
The experiences you share are what life is about isn’t it?
My nephew has Down’s syndrome and can’t speak, but he and I get along great. It is a joy to see him laugh.