My exploration of the human condition has taken a few twists and turns. In 1989 I became a hospice volunteer and was awarded “Volunteer of the Year” in 1990. The director of volunteers and I became good friends. She asked me why I decided to be a volunteer. I told her I thought I might be able to glean deep insights and wisdom from those facing the abyss of death. She responded that she had been working with the dying a long time and had learned that “People who live like assholes die like assholes.”

I had gleaned the wisdom I sought.