Lent 2026, Day 3: With dignity.

My birthday was on the second, but I’ve been thinking about death a lot this month.

My friend Nicole’s brother, Jesse, passed away on the third.

My friend Thomas’ mom, Ms. Marylou, passed away on the twelfth.

My friend Kiki’s father-in-law received devastating news about the state of his health last week.

My friend Kandi walked into a mall on Valentine’s Day, only to immediately run out when she heard gunfire (no one was injured, thankfully, and the shooter was apprehended).

Death has been all about me.

Yesterday, the actor Eric Dane, best known to millions of viewers of Grey’s Anatomy,died at age 53 of ALS. From Yahoo:

Dane’s family confirmed his death with a statement to multiple outlets, saying that he had “spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world.”

The actor, known for his roles in Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, revealed he had ALS in April 2025. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a neurodegenerative disease. It’s rare, with about 5,000 Americans being diagnosed each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight,” the statement continued. “He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time.”

Then today, Netflix released an interview he gave for a documentary series. From Variety:

Eric Dane‘s final interview before his death is now streaming on Netflix as part of the platform’s posthumous interview series “Famous Last Words,” which “gives audiences around the world the opportunity to hear from a cultural icon after they’ve passed away.” Dane, best known for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan on “Grey’s Anatomy,” died Feb. 19, nearly 10 months after being diagnosed with ALS.

According to Netflix, Dane’s interview was “conducted under an agreement that the episode would only be aired after his death.” The streamer’s “Famous Last Words” series began last fall with a posthumous interview with Dr. Jane Goodall.

At the end of the Netflix interview, Dane gave a direct-to-camera address to his daughters, Billie and Georgia, telling them: “These words are for you. I tried. I stumbled sometimes, but I tried. Overall we had a blast, didn’t we? I remember all the times we spent at the beach, the two of you, me and mom — in Santa Monica, Hawaii, Mexico. I see you now playing in the ocean for hours, my water babies. Those days, pun intended, were heaven. I want to tell you four things I’ve learned from this disease, and I hope you don’t just listen to me. I hope you’ll hear me.”

I’m going to think over the following words, especially as I continue to traverse the valley: