50/50, like some of the movies I watch, starts with a very superficial reason for wanting to watch it *cough* Anna Kendrick *cough*. Little did I know the point of the movie would soon work its way into my reality. And my recent talks with my mouse housemate on the topic of cancer brings to light even more of the complexities with dealing with some forms of aggressive cancer, both medically and psychologically. 50/50 is one of those movies that are inspired by true stories, in this case, the afflicted one was one of the writers. It captures some of the lighter side of things while not skimping on the weight of staring at the face of death. More often than not, the movie informs me how to handle cancer when a friend is the one going through it.
There is one scene in the movie where it speaks so strongly, where Adam found out that his some what jerk of a friend (but best friend) Kyle was reading a book on how to deal with a friend having cancer, out of sight aka. in the toilet. I would rather have that one friend who can be and sometimes is a total ass but wants to walk the walk in secret than it is to be surrounded by friends who are only there show that they care but not act like they do. I think that was pretty moving. Also the part where Adam finally snaps and stares face to face at his own mortality. That was amazing.
Just today at BSF, as an ice breaker question, we were asked if we would rather know the exact time of our death or the cause of our death. I think most people would have chosen the cause of their death so that they can try to avoid anything that will lead to their death. I, of course, chose the former. If I were asking the question, I would have asked a slightly different one. Would you rather die a quick but lonely death or a slow painful death with friends and family around you?
Now all of these questions are only teasers at best on what are we going to do when facing our own mortality when we still view our lives as nowhere near dropping dead. Most of the time we think about it for awhile, dwell on it and its ramifications and then continue on with living the lives that we were living as if the question had not been asked. Some experiences or thoughts about death can only be realised when the one closest to you or, God forbid, yourself starts playing a game of chess with Death. There is a hint of that while I was watching Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix when Luna explained to Harry that he could see Thestrals because he had seen death.
What do you see about death? Do you try to extend your mortality only to know later that it is not a chase you can win, or do you take the words "carpe the hell of the diem", or do you take the Ecclesiastical stance of knowing what your duty is while you are living a life that is merely a thread on the time-space continuum.
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I think my two year cycle is winding down to an end. Sad but not that it was entirely unexpected.
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On a lighter note, just found out that one of my new colleagues is a Christian when she showed up for BSF through a mutual friend of ours. Pretty random.
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