In February, I felt I had to be equally open about my cancer — and facing death. I was, in fact, in the hospital when my essay on this, “My Own Life,” was published in this newspaper. In July I wrote another piece for the paper, “My Periodic Table,” in which the physical cosmos, and the elements I loved, took on lives of their own.
And now, weak, short of breath, my once-firm muscles melted away by cancer, I find my thoughts, increasingly, not on the supernatural or spiritual, but on what is meant by living a good and worthwhile life — achieving a sense of peace within oneself. I find my thoughts drifting to the Sabbath, the day of rest, the seventh day of the week, and perhaps the seventh day of one’s life as well, when one can feel that one’s work is done, and one may, in good conscience, rest.
~ Oliver Sacks: Sabbath. The Seventh Day of the Week. The Seventh Day of Life
Postscript:
Oliver Sacks died this morning. He was 82 years old. His work here is done and may he now rest in peace.
The story in NY Times: Oliver Sacks Dies at 82; Neurologist and Author Explored the Brain’s Quirks
Notes:
- Photo: Smithsonianmag.com
- Don’t miss other opinion articles by Oliver Sacks:
His brilliance doesn’t dim…
Such an amazing mind. He has lived with such personal torment at times and yet has given so much to so many. Awed…
Awed is the appropriate description for the man and his work. Period.
he sees it and knows it to be true. wonderful.
Yes. May he RIP.
agreed. it’s unfortunate that we don’t realize some of this things until much closer to our end.
He had earned his rest.
Amazing story. May he indeed rest in peace. <3
Diana xo
That’s just sad. Can’t change it, can’t wish for a different ending, but it’s just sad.
Yes. Agree Claudia.
Death or impending death brings a deep clarity of our mind. Amazing man, may his words remind us to live our truth.
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