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The Lonely Death of George Bell (1 Viewer)

The sad irony is that a man who lives his life trying to keep to himself is features in this piece for the whole world to see and his entire lifestyle exposed

 
One of my bigger fears actually. My wife's condition has really kept us separated from much of a social life for over 10 years now. Our parents are in their 70s. We have no kids. I have a bad feeling I will one day be the old guy in an apartment by himself. I try to remain close to some folks and I do a lot in the community. So I hope I have lived my life well enough that someone will actually miss me and maybe even care enough to show up for a funeral. But I'm not sure that's true. And now that I'm much closer to the end than the beginning it weighs on me sometimes.

 
I thought the most heartbreaking part is when it transitioned into his life as a child. I see a lot of vets everyday; it's basically my entire job now. Sometimes it can weigh on you seeing how tortured and broken many of them are. It's easy to forget that they were also once young kids, pushing a toy train around an apartment or a house with life entirely in front of them. And now they are here.

The whole thing just got to me. Seems like a wasted life in a lot of ways, but maybe it's also all he really wanted.

 
Capella said:
I thought the most heartbreaking part is when it transitioned into his life as a child. I see a lot of vets everyday; it's basically my entire job now. Sometimes it can weigh on you seeing how tortured and broken many of them are. It's easy to forget that they were also once young kids, pushing a toy train around an apartment or a house with life entirely in front of them. And now they are here.

The whole thing just got to me. Seems like a wasted life in a lot of ways, but maybe it's also all he really wanted.
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You're killin me man.

 
It was an interesting article about the kind of old man you sometimes glance out of the corner of your eye in any city. Bell's ghost was at the center of the story but I found the figures on the periphery more interesting: the guys clearing out his apartment, the mortician, his beneficiaries. Bell lived the life he chose and he died alone as he had lived. It was left to N.R. Kleinfield to try to find meaning in his life and death. At least, the writer did him that last favor of respect.

 
I think the bureaucracy of government and the lengths they go to respect the possessions and legacy of the dead is pretty amazing. I've been to a lot of places where people in general, are basically just throw aways. When you see dozens of elderly people begging for spare change in about any former Soviet bloc capital it is very sobering. In other places they just throw those without family or close friends into a pit, throw some lye on top, go about your way. George got a lot of respect after he passed, there is something to be said about the American way sometimes.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Doctor Detroit said:
I think the bureaucracy of government and the lengths they go to respect the possessions and legacy of the dead is pretty amazing. I've been to a lot of places where people in general, are basically just throw aways. When you see dozens of elderly people begging for spare change in about any former Soviet bloc capital it is very sobering. In other places they just throw those without family or close friends into a pit, throw some lime on top, go about your way. George got a lot of respect after he passed, there is something to be said about the American way sometimes.
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True

 
Joe Summer said:
What did George Bell do to have his shortcomings publicized for the world to see?
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I didn't see any judgement in that article. I made no judgements based on it.

The man cared for his parents until.they passed. That doesn't seem like a shortcoming. He quit drinking when it became a health problem. That doesn't seem like a shortcoming. If depression and loneliness led to his retreat from the world hard to call that a shortcoming.

 
NCCommish said:
Joe Summer said:
What did George Bell do to have his shortcomings publicized for the world to see?
Click to expand...
I didn't see any judgement in that article. I made no judgements based on it.The man cared for his parents until.they passed. That doesn't seem like a shortcoming. He quit drinking when it became a health problem. That doesn't seem like a shortcoming. If depression and loneliness led to his retreat from the world hard to call that a shortcoming.
Click to expand...
Some would say he had mental problems due to the hoarding, unwillingness to maintain relationships, etc.

I see what Joe Sumner is saying. I think to answer his question, no one is around to fight it (family, estate, etc.)

 
eoMMan said:
NCCommish said:
Joe Summer said:
What did George Bell do to have his shortcomings publicized for the world to see?
Click to expand...
I didn't see any judgement in that article. I made no judgements based on it.The man cared for his parents until.they passed. That doesn't seem like a shortcoming. He quit drinking when it became a health problem. That doesn't seem like a shortcoming. If depression and loneliness led to his retreat from the world hard to call that a shortcoming.
Click to expand...
Some would say he had mental problems due to the hoarding, unwillingness to maintain relationships, etc.I see what Joe Sumner is saying. I think to answer his question, no one is around to fight it (family, estate, etc.)
Click to expand...
The boarding, the not maintaining relationships is all part of clinical depression. I know all too well from first hand experience. My wife csn maintain internet relationships but not in person. She doesn't want anyone to visit. She won't go out. And her room should be a superfund site.This all part of depression.

 
Very interesting and a quality read. Amazing how many resources and people/hours go into that whole process.

$12.50 appraisal for a $3.00 watch.

 
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