Life lasts only a few tens of thousands of days, and I’ve helped many people through their final few. I’m Xiao Qi, a life journey guide for the final stop, born with unusual eyes.
Everyone reaches the end of life eventually. Whether it’s ourselves or our loved ones, we all have to face it. Many people are afraid and don’t know what to do. But it’s not that complicated. If we cherish each day we spend together, there won’t be so much sorrow in parting.
Is death frightening? Yes and no. Fear and reluctance mostly come from being unprepared, from the helplessness of not knowing what to do. There are still so many things left unsaid and undone, and all that remains is regret.
It takes courage to write about farewells. I want more people to face death, understand it, and have as few regrets as possible. Ying Zheng began building his mausoleum at twenty-two in ancient times. Today, we should cherish those who are about to leave.
I originally wanted to write about the many things that happen at a funeral home, but then I realized that so much of it extends beyond those walls and reflects all walks of life. Many people see us as ordinary staff, but to us, we are the final companions on each departed person’s journey. I’m more like a guide, accompanying the deceased from the moment they arrive until I see them off, through every stage and every step. We don’t need red envelopes. We need respect. Don’t avoid us. We’re ordinary people too; we’ve simply chosen a different way to support our families. Every line of work needs someone to do it, and we’ve chosen the one you shy away from. We choose to care for every life traveler in their final moments.
The beauty and ugliness of human nature are vividly reflected in ethics and morality. .