"He died doing what he loved"

[BillyT]

After our discussion of this concept this week, I was -- needless to say -- a little startled to see this headline -- five columns, maybe 42-point italic" at the top of the local front page this morning.

Local 14-year-old, a national-level dirt-bike racer, was killed in an accident practicing for a competition.

It was a direct quote from his dad.

 

[21]

I hate that expression--hate it. He died while dying. No one thinks 'wow, this is great, I'm dying while doing something I love.' At least I don't think they do.

But this was a quote from the dad, who deservedly takes some comfort from the idea....so I have no problem with it in this context.

Very sad story.

 

[Mystery_Meat]

As opposed to Nelson Rockefeller, who died doing who he loved.

 

[Ace]

I'm glad they used that headline. The kid would have wanted it that way.

 

[Kaylee]

If anyone ever says that about me, I am rising from the grave, brushing the dirtstuffs of my shoulders, and bitchslapping that fool into oblivion.

I keep thinking of any race car driver who ever bought the farm plowing into a concrete wall, or any basketball/soccer player who dropped dead during a game due to some undiagnosed heart condition. And they always say he "died doing what he loved."

Since - in those cases - doing what they loved killed them, wouldn't they rather be doing something that they hated, like filing their taxes or sorting the recyclables?

 

[Chi City 81]

Can't wait to see that on a political obit.

"The esteemed senator died doing what he loved, popping Viagra and bedding a 19-year-old prostitute."

 

[Armchair_QB]

Can't wait to see that on a political obit.

"The esteemed senator died doing what he loved, popping Viagra and bedding a 19-year-old prostitute."

Although he insisted he was not intoxicated, the senator could not explain his nudity.

 

[Captain_Kirk]

Well, guess I'll offer up the dissenting opinion. I don't have a problem with the phrase and I think it often rings true.

I guess I think of it in a personal perspective. How would I rather go? Suffering a lengthy and painful illness and knowing death was only a numbered countdown of days? Or falling from the roof after cleaning the gutters? Or a fatal heart attack after mowing the lawn?

No, if I'm going to leave this life, I do think I'd rather have my final moments be most enjoyable. So, if that heart attack takes me, I would rather it be during a game of hoops or a round of golf. Or getting it on with the better half.

If your number is called, may as well have that final experience be one of your most pleasant.

 

[Ace]

RIP, Cap'n Kirk

At least he died doing what he was lousy at.

 

[ColbertNation]

Can't wait to see that on a political obit.

"The esteemed senator died doing what he loved, popping Viagra and bedding a 19-year-old prostitute."

... or a 16-year-old page.

 

[Captain_Kirk]

RIP, Cap'n Kirk

At least he died doing what he was lousy at.

yeah, the basketball game has gotten a bit rusty with age.

And have never been a very good golfer.

So, in two out of three cases, you'd be right

 

[Claws for Concern]

Heaven needed a 14-year-old boy. Uh, no it didn't.

 

[novelist_wannabe]

If death is inevitable, you might as well enjoy it ... [/bobbyknight]

 

[Johnny Dangerously]

I think people say "He died doing what he loved" as consolation to themselves, not to suggest it made the dying any less painful or any more fun for the deceased. But yes, there are worse ways to go than doing what you love.

Guy loves his Hawaiian shirt. Guy does wearing his Hawaiian shirt. Guy died wearing the shirt he loved. Doesn't mean he was tickled pink about it.

Kid loved dirt-bike racing. Kid died practicing it. Kid died doing what he loved.

I find that better than:

-- He died as his internal organs were crushed and ripped from his body.
-- He died frightened, wondering if there is an afterlife.
-- He died with **** coming out of his ass as he lost control of his bodily functions because of massive trauma to the midsection.

 

[Mayfly]

Heaven needed a 14-year-old boy. Uh, no it didn't.

Yes, but Neverland needs them [/Michael Jackson]

 

[TwoGloves]

Can't wait to see that on a political obit.

"The esteemed senator died doing what he loved, popping Viagra and bedding a 19-year-old prostitute."

Although he insisted he was not intoxicated, the senator could not explain his nudity.

"Baby, if you've ever wondered ..."

 

[You're With Me Leather]

Can't wait to see that on a political obit.

"The esteemed senator died doing what he loved in the Minneapolis airport bathroom."

 

[writing irish]

Didn't the lead singer from INXS die doing what he loved?

 

[playthrough]

I hate, hate, hate that phrase. I love playing with my kid and golfing with my buddies, but don't want any of them to watch me die.

In the journalistic sense, I think it's lazy (except in a direct quote like above). Unless the driver/ballplayer/etc. said he/she wanted to go on the court or the field in Turn 4, you can't write it. Maybe it's correct in the literal sense (he loved ball, he died while playing ball) but it doesn't fly for me as some kind of obit kicker. And maybe it isn't true. There's lots of athletes who don't dearly love what they do, as hard as that may be to believe for the average fan.

 

[Ace]

RIP, Cap'n Kirk

At least he died doing what he was lousy at.

yeah, the basketball game has gotten a bit rusty with age.

And have never been a very good golfer.

So, in two out of three cases, you'd be right

Have you been violating the Prime Directive, Captain?