Living & Dying Without Fear

What would you do if your doctor told you that you have two months to live?

This, hopefully for you is a hypothetical question, for my dear friend and mentor, Aubrey Weldon, it was a reality.

Aubrey, a dad, an educator, attorney, world traveler, author, and karaoke enthusiast was stunned, but not scared, to receive news from his doctor that he had an advanced stage of liver cancer which gave him two months to live. He merely left the doctor's office and carried on his daily routine.

He maintained his consciousness and spirits long enough to coordinate the affairs of the last chapter of his life before slipping into an unexpected coma, in which his girlfriend of the past 3 decades said he wore a peaceful expression. He died two weeks later.

And just like that, it was over.

Though Aubrey's final chapter seemed to happen suddenly, he was fortunate to be made aware of it. Most of us will not have such a luxury...a luxury that affords us the opportunity to say 'I love you' to our loved ones, just once more.

Aubrey and I had many conversations, real conversations - the kind you have with the people in your life who know what really matters. One of our topics was death. Aubrey didn't believe in death; he said that if you believe in death, you suffer from death.

Aubrey had no fear of dying because he lived his truth; which means living life in accordance to one's values and beliefs. He celebrated the moment with the people who shared his time and space. He was a gentle soul with strong opinions, and was unique in that he encouraged others to develop and express their own.

Most of all, Aubrey lived generously; giving freely of his time and knowledge, being conscious that living and loving are both action verbs, and that fear prevents you from fully embracing both.

In loving memory of Aubrey Weldon (in black below)  1945 - 2013