Do You Want to Know When You Will Die? Florence Harding and Death Predictions

If you had the option, would you want to know when you are going to die? Would you want to know when your spouse is going to die?

Florence Harding's time in the White House was clouded by the "knowledge" that her husband, Warren Harding would not live through his term of office. Madame Marcia, an astrologer on whom Florence Harding relied, gave her the news during one of their sessions.

Florence Harding was already a jealous and ambitious wife, and this prediction fueled her desire to control her husband and his presidency.

When I read this part of Florence Harding's life in Carl Anthony's biography Florence Harding: The First Lady, The Jazz Age, and the Death of America's Most Scandalous President, I started to think. If I had the choice, would I want to know when my husband was going to die? Would I want to know the date of my death?

Here are the pros to knowing your death date:

If you know you are going to die soon, you could seize the day and live to make every moment count. You could make memories and spend time with your family and friends. You would quit putting off until later the things you have always wanted to do in order to do them now. You would heal broken relationships now instead of waiting until later which would bring you peace in your life.

If you know you are going to die soon, you can make better long-term plans. You could buy the right amount of life insurance. You could get your house in order financially as well as get your literal house in order so you don't leave anything undone.

If you know you are going to die, you live with a greater understanding that this world does not last forever and you need to think about what comes after death. Your priorities would be in the right place focused on what is eternal.

Here are the cons to knowing your death date:

You could let thoughts of death consume you. Since Madame Marcia said it, it was impossible for Florence to let go of thoughts of death.

You would live with constant stress. This happened to Florence Harding especially since Madame Marcia did not say how Warren Harding would die. Whenever he would get ill, she would wonder if this was the end. She continually worried waiting for the other shoe to drop.

You will miss out on watching the life of your kids and grandkids after your death, their weddings, kids, their careers, and accomplishment.

Can you trust a death prediction?

If someone told you you would die in the next two years, you would decide whether or not to trust the prediction. There could be this excitement that comes with the possibility of defeating the odds.

I'm not sure if Florence experienced a glimmer of hope after Madame Marcia told her that Warren would die before his presidential term was up. She seemed to trust Madam Marcia implicitly believing she was right.

And she was right. Warren Harding died of heart failure before his presidential term was up.

After thinking it over, I am glad I do not know when I am going to die. However, I do want to live with eternity in view making the most of every opportunity as if today might be my last day here on earth because who knows? maybe it will be.