Awareness
In a later book in the Harry Potter series we discover that the carriages for the school are not drawn by magic alone, but rather by Thestrals, which are described as carnivorous, horse-like creatures which can only be seen by those who have witnessed death. This subtle reference to the dramatic change that being fully aware of death brings to an individual is insightful and moving. I grew up with a dying parent. My birth seems to have coincided with his descent into his lengthy terminal status, lending my life, as my mother described, a perceived responsibility and association with his death. An intriguing life partnership for a three year old; if we live with our “inner child,” mine sees Thestrals. This was normal for me, as I believe it was for most children of the generation before mine who grew up without vaccines or antibiotics, and a childhood death rate which was high. Both my parents survived Tuberculosis. ...