Life, Death & Peace

You know how people always say death comes in threes? Well since the beginning of March through today, March 14, 2013, I have known of at least 7 deaths that are either people I knew or family and friends of people I know. That seems like a pretty high number. It reminds me of March 1985 when I experienced a similar occurrence. First of all, why so many?. Second, what's up with the month of March? Although some people don't believe in coincidences, I'm pretty sure this is just that.
So what are the chances of death affecting a person that many times in such a short span? Of course if you know a lot of people the chances are going to be greater. Do I know THAT many people? Did I know THAT many people in 1985?
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the leading causes of death in the U.S. are, in this order, heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic lower respiratory diseases and "accidental injury," a broad category that includes a lot of stuff that just happens.
Here are the odds of a person dying of the following:
Heart disease (1 in 5)
Cancer (1 in 7)
Stroke (1 in 23)
Accidental injury (1 in 36)
Mother vehicle accident (1 in 100)
Intentional self harm (Suicide) (1 in 121)
Falling Down (1 in 246)
Assault by firearm (1 in 325)
Fire or smoke (1 in 1,116)
Natural forces (heat, cold, storms, quakes, etc.) (1 in 3,357)
~~ (*Includes some that are listed below)
Electrocution (1 in 5,000)*
Drowning (1 in 8,942)
Air travel accident (1 in 20,000)
Flood (1 in 30,000) *
Legal execution (1 in 58,618)
Tornado (1 in 60,000)*
Lightning strike (1 in 83,930) *
Snake, bee or other venomous bite or sting (1 in 100,000)
Earthquake (1 in 131,890)*
Dog attack (1 in 147,717)
Asteroid impact (1 in 200,000)*
Tsunami (1 in 500,000)*
Fireworks discharge (1 in 615,488)

Some pretty strange one listed here. And really, statistics are not very accurate since there are so many factors involved and most are outdated anyway and they are changing everyday.But the odds of dying period are 1 in 1.

Here's what I know: I'm not afraid to die. I'm ready whenever it is my time to go. What I do worry about is the ones I leave behind. I don't want them to mourn and grieve. Of course it's hard knowing that a person will no longer be there like before and that we will miss them deeply. But know that they are at peace and find strength in this knowledge so that you can also experience a peace of your own. Cherish the memories, know that your loved ones are with you in some way and they always will be.

So this March thing, in my opinion is coincidence and it's just unfortunate when one has to take in so much at one time.  All I can do is be here for the one's that need me and that the one's that are no longer with us are resting in peace which should bring comfort to some. Some are taken way too soon and we feel anger, but we can't bring them back and we must be selfless in our thoughts just because we weren't ready for them to go.

Live each day as if it were your last. Tell your loved ones how much you love them and how much they mean to you. Forgive and have no regrets. Cherish every moment of every day.

We never know when it's our time and that is why I always wish you Peace & Love xoxo