Exactly Death is the greatest gift in that it reminds us of how lucky we are to have a chance to exist. Far more beautiful than some trick in which heaven, eternal life or reincarnation make life some kind of sick test or trial run for the real thing. For years I struggled with the concept but now realise that the actual physical universe allows for all the possibilities that religions lead people away from in an effort to steal that from them.

My Dad was not there for so much of my life and can be difficult a lot of the time but I try to remember to ring him every Week during Sabbath and we make each other laugh. He has multiple plastic joints, has had two heart attacks but still walks miles every day and writes a new book every couple of years.