Dear ripcitychick,
Believe it or not it is not death we fear at all. It is the pain that we fear that we may have to suffer before death. I hope to die in my sleep. No pain and suffering. It is the suffering that is the fear of death. I have had a near death exp and it was beautiful. Nothing at all to fear. It is a sense of calm and serenity. Try and think of it that way. I myself am am afraid of not being able to breathe.