The Black Smoke Stack

This place opened about a mile from our house. I have not driven by when any smoke is coming out of the smoke stack.  It reminds me of our mortality.  Below are the opening and closing paragraphs of a two page paper I wrote last year when thinking about death.
"I know death is coming.  Two weeks ago, it snarled at me as I left the Intensive Care Unit after seeing my younger sister’s wrists tied to bed rails to prevent her removing tubes keeping death from smothering her.  Thankfully, she survived to move toward 71.  My grandson and my father-in-law taught me not to rely on an age gauge.  They died within three weeks of each other, although 73 years separated them.  Despite their examples, if I scan newspaper obituaries, it’s to compare my age to those listed.  Today, I was older than everyone.....
I’ve learned not to rely on obituaries.  I opened the Bible and read, “I call heaven and earth as my witnesses against you right now:  I have set life and death, blessing and curse before you. Now choose life—so that you and your descendants will live— by loving the Lord your God, by obeying his voice, and by clinging to him.” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20, CEB)  I’ve decided to live during the time God gives me."