Soundbite Solution: Pull the Plug on Granny

PREEMPTIVE MEASURE: The writer treads into this sensitive area knowing that some may be offended or hurt. Please know that the writer's intent is not meant to cause offense or pain, but to (hopefully) encourage one to take proactive measures about this emotionally-charged problem.

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Unless you live in a tropical rain forest, you are probably at least marginally aware of the current hoopla regarding healthcare reform. This writing is not so much about healthcare reform as it is about facing a fact of life -- though unpleasant for many of us.

FACT: as sure as we were born we are all sure to die. What happens between those two points on the spectrum of eternity is for another time.

No matter how invincible one may delude oneself into believing one is, without regard for race, color, creed, socio-economic status, or class (or lack thereof) -- whether rich or poor, young or old, Christian, Jew, Muslim, Agnostic, Atheist, or Confused -- one day will be the last.

So why all the fuss about pulling the plug? Many have agonized over such an ordeal. Some have envisioned a vegetative state in which there is no possibility of recovery and believe such a state of being is undesirable. Others want to "live" regardless of their quality of life -- or lack thereof. (Perhaps they are afraid because of their acts of omission and/or commission, by thought, word or deed, against the divine majesty of whatever god in which they believe. [God forbid if they believe in mine. ] But that's for another time and another blog.)

If you are of the former mindset, I urge you to take the necessary steps to protect yourself from being subjected to having your body maintained by unnatural means if there is no possibility of recovery. (NOTICE TO LAWYERS AND UPL [unauthorized practice of law] ZEALOTS: consider the foregoing suggestion as practical, ministerial advice as opposed to legal advice.) By taking proactive steps yourself, you will free your family or friends from 1) agonizing over the decision to "pull the plug" and 2) free yourself from family members who just cannot "let you go." And to those who cannot "let go:" consider the suffering of your loved one. For whose benefit would you have one remain? His/hers, or yours?

If you are of the latter mindset, and believe that as long as you are "breathing" you are "alive," consider this:

Is this life?

Lying still in bed

Never aware -- no way to know

That others care

No means to

Let go a giggle

Stifle a yawn

Shed a tear

Rise early by the dawn

See the sun shine

Spread warmth and cheer?

Is this life?

Day in and out

Always alone

With every thought

Up and down

Work all day

Home to hear

No one say

How did it go?

I hope it was great

But must have been busy

Since you're so late

Just couldn't wait

To have you home

Time for us

To be alone.

Is this life?

Through manmade power

Making hearts beat

If just another hour --

Or day week, month or year

With eyes, arms or ears

Too blind to see

Nor touch, nor hear

Nor can feel

A bird in a tree

A buzzing bee

Screaming sirens in the night

Noisy crickets out of sight

Trains on tracks

Keyboard-thumping computer hacks

A hug

What is life -- without a hug?

(©1995 Andrea Hoxie)