Today I was reminded of an old gripe that continues to "Piss me Off". I realize I have grumbled about the following subject before, but I do believe it bears repeating, simply because it will never end!

You all know how people react when someone dies. Most often, you hear someone say, "I get the feeling he is up there, smiling down on us. And I think he is pleased"  I think I heard this old line again on the news recently. Some athlete died suddenly and one of his pals made this most annoying reference.

First of all, you all know that I find it extremely doubtful that there is any "up there" from which to smile. It is rather poetic  I suppose and it is certainly comforting but it probably does not exist. Sorry , gang.  Besides, if a person actually did somehow "survive" death in some kind of non-physical form, clearly he would be far too busy with other things to be "smiling down" on people.

And please tell me why it is that we never hear someone say, "smiling UP at us.."?? I suppose it just does not occur to these folks that a loved one might end up in "hell". And in that case, it is highly unlikely that they would be "smiling". More than likely, he would be screaming.  "I get the feeling he is down there now, screaming up at us. And I think he is in pain."   It is amazing how people just refuse to be realistic.