Elizabeth writes at Gen Between about a friend who is dying and her reaction to the news, especially after the loss of her mother recently.

He is well loved, and, it’s natural that people are concerned and upset. But, for some reason, every time I hear an update about him, I feel much like I did with my own mother. It’s actually involuntary, I don’t realize I’m reacting until I tense up, or, have some non-specific worry going on in my mind.

I know this reaction. When someone brings up the process of dying, for me at least, it’s about those finals months with my mother to a large degree. You feel this unusual thump in your chest.

It’s different and hard to explain.

Elizabeth has more.