“It seems this custom that we have, of wishing “for many more years”, is indicative of man’s love for life, and his aversion for death.  It reveals the fear of death that is nestled in our souls.  We strive to push death far from us… as far as we can…  We try to forget it, because even the memory of death is terrible and it ruins our disposition…. a childish, immature behavior and stance towards life.”

(Athanasios Rakovalis in online article ‘For Many Years’)