More than just semantics

I overheard a colleague telling a staff member that a patient in our practice had "expired."

It made me think, Why do our patients "expire," but our family and friends get to "die?"

Definitions: 

* Expire: to end or to be no longer valid

* Die: to cease to live, to cease to exist, to cease to function, to lose force, strength or active qualities

I prefer to die, instead of expire, when the time comes, and for now on, none of my patients will "expire" either.

The many life lessons I have gleaned from my patients who have died, over the years, are still incredibly appreciated, remembered and valid.