Interesting Marty,

My experience being similar to yours, though perhaps not quite as extensive, leads me to an opposite conclusion. There must be more to our existence than this simple life. If not, then there really isn't much point in most of what we do. However, I don't worry too much about what happens when I am gone either. From my perspective, the purpose of which I am just a tiny fragment started a long time ago, and will continue on for a long time to come; something like eternity if I read the manual right.

As for preparing loved ones, I figure that the wife was doing just fine on her own when we met, and is quite capable of going on without me; having recently proven so by spending time apart and taking care of her own needs without my input. The kids are grown and have pretty much learned what they need to get by. Anything more they get from me is just gravy now, so beyond that, I really think I've done all I need to. I have enough life insurance to make sure whatever bills might come up after my death will be taken care of, and they can all have a terrific party in Tahiti on what would be left over if they want, or whatever. Everything else is pretty much trivial, and taken care of by the will I wrote up. I am sure they will miss me, but they'll get over it.

One of my favorite quotes, which the girls have heard me cite more than once, "Everybody gotta die sometime, Red." 10 points to whoever can identify the quote reference.