An old man's final day by Michael Hanrahan

I found this painting interesting and intriguing. To quote JMW Turner ”Indistinctness is my forte". After reading the description I found myself feeling somewhat depressed. Perhaps because I have reached the '2 score years and ten' milestone and have been contemplating my own mortality. I still like the painting. Even though we don't like to think about it, death is part of life and is something we all have to deal with with at some point.

Hello brian thankyou for your comment and yes you are right. Unfortunately I often become very preoccupied with the subject. My mother is getting on in years and i dread the day she has to leave me behind. It will be difficult to not feel abandoned and to become an orphan. Then there's my own final day which fills me with many fears. I am not religious so the prospect is full of unanswerable questions.

It's full of soul and meaning - a very powerful; painting Michael. I also know how you feel about the prospect of death.

Thankyou heather I appreciate that. Unfortunately the photo i took of this painting makes it look grimmer than it is because in reality it is much brighter, the light stronger and more pleasant. It almost changes the mood of the subject. Ill probably upload a better photo of it at some point.

Struggling with the prospect of death is - obviously - something we all face. All I can tell you is that I came near to it a few years ago after a massive haemorrhage - I could have slipped away, but didn't. Well, you'll have guessed that.... Not everyone's death is pleasant, very obviously - but we have to go; and at some point, we want to go. At the point at which I turned back to staying alive, I wasn't afraid - I thought I would be, but wasn't. I feel I could just have turned off then, but didn't do it - it was very peaceful, and I hope that will be true of all of us, even though I basically know better; I like to think though that at the end of a long life - we can just let go. And as we all have to in the end - it doesn't really matter. Though: I shall fight against the dying of the light for so long as I can - that's in our nature. Your painting is very moving, Michael ... especially with your explanation.

Only just seen your message robert it moved me very much. I am very dismayed to hear your near death experience but im greatly relieved you are still with us. Im not sure if you'll see this reply. I hope you do. I just want you to know I greatly value you and appreciate you.