Don't fear the reaper.

Day 28.1

The concept of death as a sentient entity has existed in many societies since the beginning of history. In English, Death is often given the name Grim Reaper and, from the 15th century onwards, came to be shown as a skeletal figure carrying a large scythe and clothed in a black cloak with a hood.

In some cases, the Grim Reaper is able to actually cause the victim's death, leading to tales that he can be bribed, tricked, or outwitted in order to retain one's life, such as in the case of Sisyphus (but that’s another story for another time).

Other beliefs hold that the specter of Death is only a psychopomp (read your Greek), serving to sever the last ties between the soul and the body and to guide the deceased to the next world without having any control over the fact of the victim's death.

A personified character of Death has recurred many times in popular fiction. Having been identified as the “Ghost of Christmas yet to come”, “Thanatos” or the “Forth Horseman of the Apocalypse”, Death has got to keep up on current trends and modern views.  Keeping up appearances has got to be quite a task. Imagine having to appear almost everywhere, at anytime, changing appearance to support various beliefs and faiths. Whew...what a job!

Death can’t even enjoy a beer or some buffalo wings without interruptions, (Crap, sorry guys, I got to get to India. A yogi just fell on his bed of nails, and I’ve got a 1:30 at the sky-diving show in New Brunswick). So, I say, let’s give Death a break, if he should come knocking on your door, don’t answer, I’m sure he’d like the break.