Ladders

A friend of mine asked what I think is a very reasonable question.  They asked why does so much of my writing mention death.  I could say how I had a bit of that when I lost my brother (God has him in heaven but I have him in my heart), and when a relative lost a husband.  I tend to work through stuff with words.  I apologise, but you are often on the receiving end of that.
But having said that, it does come up a bit in my writing.  I am big on balance.  To much of anything is too much.  I like chocolate, but too much makes me sick.  I would not say I have a morbid curiosity, but I do have a curiosity.
It is probably in part due to an issue I have.  They say, “there are two things you don’t talk about – death and taxes.”  I have trouble getting my head around that.  Death is the one thing that is universal to all.  Even taxes are non-existent in some places, but death is existent everywhere.
There are many interests I have that may interest most (I live in hope).  Maybe they are relevant, but only one thing is relevant to all.  I am no different to anyone in that I am fascinated with what happens next.  I know I am not alone.  An incredible number of religions and philosophies address that question.
To me it is something I best address early.  I put up a picture with the saying “never under-estimate the value of small step.”  It showed people climbing ladders against a wall.  I like that.  I also like the comment someone made that you should ensure your ladder is against the right wall in the first place.
So many climb what is called the ladder of success only to find at the end of their days when they get to the top, that the ladder was against the wrong wall.  Relationships in particular are casualties.  To me, success matters.  But not at any cost.  I am fond of saying it does not matter when it happens as long as it happens.  To me better that than a pig-headed determination to pursue something proven wrong.
Ladders are not my strong point.  That has always been true, but even more so since I have gotten older and had a stroke.  Ladders tend to be mountains to climb.  I am not a mountaineer.  In fact, I am a wuss.  I cannot even watch some of the shots of people in high places.
There is a toothpaste ad that has been playing showing a guy scaling a vertical cliff face.  He camps on the face and cleans his teeth.  I think if he wants to do that, good on him, but it is not for me.  Besides I don’t want to be underneath when he spits out and I thought cleaning teeth was an internal thing, so I fail to get the point (though as I am mentioning it means their product is in my consciousness).
As long as it happens, and my ladder is against the right wall I’m ok with it.  I have been up too many ladders only to think “hang on a minute” and scamper back down again.
I think the best I can do is make sure my ladder is secure and start the climb.  I know it is important I do not look down.  Besides the view is much better when I look up.