Events of the last few days forced some introspection

The last couple of weeks have been sad - somewhat disturbing, and at the same time, introspecting and soul searching for me.
A few loved ones, who were close to my heart, left us - from their physical forms. 
Some were old - who had lived a long and fulfilling life, but some were young - not so old**
Some suffered for a while and some left peacefully.
It hurts to lose the loved ones - especially if they were young or if they suffered physically. 
While thinking about those incidents for the past few days, two quite strong thoughts took over my mind.
First, being healthy and independent are the best things in one's life - the greatest gifts one could ask. I remembered a wonderful shloka; a prayer that we used to recite every morning in my childhood – at home and at the temple:
                           अनायासेन मरणं विना दैन्येन जीवनम् ।
                            देहान्ते तव सायुज्यं देहि मे परमेश्वरम ॥
         Anaayaasena Maranam, Vinaa-Dainyena Jeevanam
        Dehaantay Tava Saayujyam Daihi may Parmeshvaram
Meaning:
Death without pain and affliction; Life without dependency and subjection
Thy proximity (Attainment of thy abode) upon leaving the body - grant me these O' Lord.

I had seen Bhapa Ram Chand ji Kapurthala and Bhagat Ram ji Barnala repeating a phrase several times a day - and always finishing their Sumiran with this prayer: 
“Hey Ghareeb-Nawaz, Be-Mohtaaz Rakhnaa - kisay da Mohtaaz na karnaa.

Meaning -  O’ Lord – Grant me independence, self-sufficiency
Please Do not make me dependent on anyone.

I also saw some of my elderly Muslim friends in Jammu, Kashmir, Rajouri, and Poonch - reciting the same Duaa - prayer. 
Therefore, the first important thing is: Not becoming helpless and dependent on anyone - Being able to function until the end and take care of oneself is the best gift one could ask.

And second – seeing the family members and close friends helping and serving their loved ones made me realize that if something like this does happen and you need some help from others - then it’s always the family and the close friends who are there to support and take care of you.

Philosophically – The whole of humanity is one family.
But practically – no one can possibly help and take care of billions of people living on the planet.
One needs his or her ‘immediate’ family and close friends who will promptly come forward to help in times of need.
Therefore, we must try to maintain a good relationship with our families and friends - by ignoring the differences and clearing the misunderstandings - if any. 
                                                     ‘Rajan Sachdeva’

** Some near and dear ones who departed in the last few days -

Pradeep Ahuja ji Kapurthala (52) - Son of Sant Prahlad ji
Bansi Lal ji Kapurthala -- Younger Brother of Sant Prahlad ji (73 - which is not old these days)
V. K. Tarneja ji Rochester NY - (73)
Bee ji Kuldeep Kaur ji (Mrs. Dalip Singh ji) Patiala (90)

Harwant Singh ji - eldest son of Sant Amar Singh ji Patiala
Sanjhi Ram ji Kathua (92)- Father of Bodh Raj ji, an old acquaintance and devoted saint

Satish Virdi ji (About 65) - an old Saathi and Sanyojak of Kathua (J&K) who always accompanied me during Prachar tours in the Kathua area and helped establish new Sangats - departed a couple of months ago.

And a few others. 
But regardless of their age, any loved one who departs leaves a vacuum in our hearts. At the same time, it also makes us realize the reality and impermanence of life.