Pat and Peter Shaw were in their 80s, and experiencing physical and cognitive decline, so they decided to die. And they did. Quietly, at home, after talking it over with their grown-up children. It was all very dignified and sensible.

I’d like to fade out that way, except for one difficulty: my wife is going to still be kicking when I’m a doddering wreck, so the joint suicide pact is not going to happen.