Dear Pilot Lyons - Sorry to hear about your family. I presume you are taking steps to avoid a premature exit, like cutting down on the fags and the beer and the stress, etc etc.
In case you were so annoyed by my remarks that you didn't read the entire post, you may realise that I DID have to hand in my license.....
Tone, you are a sensible and responsible person, and STILL A PILOT. This is something you will always be; as I am still a pilot. Just take somebody with you as a safety pilot, good company. As I still do.
Glider pilots who are getting older often invest in a high performance two-seater; so they can still fly with a safety pilot should some problem with the ticker turn up.
As far as being able to take a joke, when you have accepted that you will not live forever, and can still see the funny side of life, your time remaining on the planet will still be pleasantly amusing.....