Fear of Dying

He was telling me how afraid he is of dying.  He is terrified of what is not even a likelihood, much less an actual prospect.  Perhaps were it closer he would not have been so afraid.  Maybe had death come near enough to be recognized he might not have wanted to run.  Death is an aspect of life and while it is more uncertain than some others it is not an aspect that need engender such dread.  I wished he were not so afraid, but I did not wish him closer to it so that he might better understand.  Instead, I said what I so often do.  I said, "It will be all right."