I'm reading an amazing book right now titled, "Dancing with Mister D". Based on real-life experience as a physician working in a nursing home, the author writes about what it's like facing death with those at the end of their lives.

Since we are all mortal, we're all of us doomed to be destroyed. This destruction is often preceded by years of torture in all kinds of institutes for the aging, where Time, like the cruel child with the fly, slowly pulls off our wings and legs...

The author, Bert Keizer, works in the Netherlands where euthanasia is legal for those that request it. He discusses, in first person narrative, many such situations in the book. It's illuminating to learn the reasons individuals ask for this, how families react, etc. The subject matter is dealth with with compassion, intelligence, and yes, with humor. It's not a 'feel good' book, but it still leaves me feeling very good about life in a profound way...