I wasn’t sure what to call this post — Day Five, because it’s the 5th day I have written anything, or Day Six, because I skipped day 5. But, nobody is grading this blog, and I can make up my own rules.
Have you listened to Desirée Dawson’s song To Be Me? “I don’t need permission to be free, to be me”. (Another song of hers, Just Fine, helped get me through the first few months of the pandemic.) So today I will continue my quest to be me, to make up my rules: rules that work for me.
My good friend, an extremely wise, generous, loving and kind man came into my life as a mentor and friend back in 2001. I had just moved to a new city and needed work. He was my assigned work search coach, and taught and encouraged me for years after. I found out yesterday that today will be his last day. He was diagnosed with ALS less than 2 years ago, but his symptom have progressed rapidly to the point where last week had about 5% use of his hands. His cryptic post yesterday on Facebook had several of his friends confused, wishing him well in his move and promising to visit when the pandemic was over. The rest of us knew that this was his way of saying good-bye. From the messages one can read how much he had touched the lives of many, many people for the good. I will miss him.
Assisted death is a difficult topic. I doubt that I could choose that as a way to end my days on earth, but I can no longer judge others for choosing that very peaceful route. Who wouldn’t to fall asleep and just not wake up, escaping pain and suffering and tormenting frustrations?
Reflections 