In April, 1998, (Lady) Linda McCartney, wife of former Beatle (Sir) Paul, died a few months short of her 57th birthday. She was diagnosed three years earlier with breast cancer.

No doubt, far too many women die of breast cancer, and 57 is too young to die. Yet, the reaction in her case was very interesting.

An outspoken vegetarian and animal rights activist, she had the time and money to lead what many felt was the "perfect" lifestyle. There are baby boomers and gen-xers walking around out there who seem to think that if you eat right and live right, you will be around for a VERY long time. When you press them as to just how long, you get this eerie feeling that the more pretentious of them think they have just about beaten the system.

Thus, when Lady Linda died, they were overcome. But she was a vegetarian, they protested. Yes, even vegetarians die. What do they think, that death is OPTIONAL?