I cannot remember or think of any good reason for my mother to even talk about such things, but I remember her telling me that there was a special type of photography where a leaf was photographed and then it withered away and parts had been lost, but when photographed in this manner it had an identical appearance as it originally had.
I also think of the song "wick" from the Secret Garden (the musical). And the parable of grafting the olive tree to restore former fruit.
From all of these various thoughts, I decided on a truth, that a thing resembles it's spiritual and that birth and death are but markers to assist in comprehension of time, but spirit/intelligence simply exists, and will not be dimmed.
It is helpful to remember that as I begin to notice the effects that seem unconquerable. In the book of Job it was recorded thus:
7 For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.
8 Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground;
9 Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.
10 But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?