Dead Right

Apologies today to those who come here looking for political commentary. This blog has two foci: politics and religion. The last little while it has been pretty religious. The world, after all, is taking a sabbatical from most politics for the summer months. And sabbaticals have their own traditions.

In 2002, Former New Zealand Prime Minister David Lange was diagnosed with a fatal disease, amyloidosis. He was told he had only four months to live.

He believes this is the best thing that ever happened to him.

“It’s a funny thing when you think you are dead. You’re not terrified of it any more. There’s a sort of an epiphany to religious things, … you end up with a serenity which you didn’t have before and I just simply enjoy it … It really does sound stupid but I’ve got to tell you it’s made my life.”

To a lesser extent, that is the secret joy of growing old.