Robert Birming

The uninvited guest

I'm sitting on the train to Åkersberga, my childhood neighborhood. I'm going to celebrate Easter at my sister's place and am really looking forward to it!

I appreciate these family gatherings more and more each year. Perhaps it's because someone increasingly seems to manage to get themselves on the guest list of life: Death. With each passing year, the probability increases that the Grim Reaper might crash the party.

It's not something I consciously dwell on, and while I'm not afraid of death, the realization of life's fragility becomes clearer as I get older. This, in turn, leads to stronger bonds and a deeper love for those who are still with us.

In a way, the awareness of passing away serves as a catalyst for bringing us closer together.