Dying and Spirituality
This chapter, while understandably morbid, was quite thought provoking. In chapter 12, we are introduced to the role of death in life, the role of grief, dealing with one's own death, suicide:the rejection of life, spirituality and a section based on a poem titled "If I Had My Life to Live Over."
I thought it very interesting to read about the "Take a Stand" case on page 283 about a 13 year old boy whose family wished to cease chemotherapy to treat his Hodgkin's lymphoma. Who has the right to decide how a person dies? As it states in the book, children do not yet have the ability to think rationally about death and dying. That being said, even some adults cannot tolerate the thought of their own mortality. The five stages of grief put forth by psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross can help aid adults in the process of coming to terms with their own death, and the stages can also help family members and loved ones of the dying individual to cope.
Further in the chapter, it highlights an Oregon law called the "Death with Dignity Act." Personally, I support this law as long as it is carried out and followed correctly. Growing up on a farm, you learn to understand that sometimes it is more humane to end the life of an animal that is suffering and will continue to suffer. If one cannot enjoy their quality of life to its full extent we need to take into consideration what would truly be best for them.
The poem written by Nadine Stair, "If I Had My Life to Live Over" was poignant and truly shows how towards the end of life, we look back and think of all the things we could or should have done. However, in this piece written by an 82-year old, I also see all of the things that she loved to do and how she reflects upon them. Ms. Stair shows those of us who are still in our young and middle adulthood that we should life our lives to the fullest every single day, to take more chances and to truly live and be a part of our lives so that in the end, we have no regrets.
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