First and foremost I decided to push myself and launch this blog today to honor my grandfather. Tootie as everyone called him would’ve been 92 years old today, he passed on 12 years ago. I won’t get into the details of his life today, but someday in the future. All I would like to say is that I miss him, plain and simple. Now on to the real issue, how we die.
Some pass in the blink of an eye, some linger painfully ravaged by disease. Like many people my family has been subjected to both ends of the spectrum of death. My grandfather entered the hospital in relatively good health, was misdiagnosed and subsequently ended up in a coma, which lead to his death 5 very long days later. Then 7 ½ months later my parents were tragically killed in an accident, both gone instantly. Now 11 ½ years later I watch as my father-in-law has gone from a strong, independent, 150 pound man, to a frail, barely 100 pound skeletal figure. In the past 8 months cancer has taken away a good portion of his short term memory, his ability to walk, pretty much his ability to do anything on his own. The cancer has spread to every part of his body and has left him in endless excruciating pain and has robbed him of every bit of dignity the man ever had. Three weeks ago my wife and I discussed the issue of a quick and relatively painless death or having the extended time to say goodbye to your loved ones. Three weeks ago I felt having the time to say the things that you seem to never get the chance to say would be the better choice, especially in the aftermath of my parents sudden death. Now three weeks later seeing the painful demise of my father-in-laws life, I have changed my mind, quick and painless is the only way as far as I’m concerned. Say the things you have to say each and everyday. So what’s your point of view?
RLM