I’m smothered in chills after reading this! What a horrible ordeal you went through. Loving your father and unable to help him when he’s begging you to end it. I can’t even imagine how you bear those memories. As we age, dying stares us in the face. What will happen to my husband! What will happen to my dog? I try to avoid the subject as much as possible. But it’s impossible when I look into the mirror!
This is agonizing, heart-breaking and terribly true. I don't know a single friend who hasn't faced a parent dying and wishing to ease the process or the pain---but also struggling with the sense of control. Should I be the one to carry out my parent's decision? The right to die movement is very strong in Switzerland and it used to be an AMerican with about $10K could get on a plane, while still healthy enough to travel, and then say sayonara there. Two American nurses, so depleted after Covid, took this trip. in the full blush of life, and now there is a residency requirement. The Hemlock Society is no more. I'd welcome---and so would most boomers---a report on the state of assisted dying in California now.
Thanks for the comment, Valerie. You’re right: unfortunately the barriers to assisted dying haven’t changed much in the last 30 years. Next Sunday I’ll interview the president of the biggest right-to-die organization in the USA. She comments on the problems here and around the world.
Really liked this one, Michael. I remember your dad. This is not a fun position to be in. For either of you.
Very sweet story. You did all you could. You can lay that burden down.
I’m smothered in chills after reading this! What a horrible ordeal you went through. Loving your father and unable to help him when he’s begging you to end it. I can’t even imagine how you bear those memories. As we age, dying stares us in the face. What will happen to my husband! What will happen to my dog? I try to avoid the subject as much as possible. But it’s impossible when I look into the mirror!
This is agonizing, heart-breaking and terribly true. I don't know a single friend who hasn't faced a parent dying and wishing to ease the process or the pain---but also struggling with the sense of control. Should I be the one to carry out my parent's decision? The right to die movement is very strong in Switzerland and it used to be an AMerican with about $10K could get on a plane, while still healthy enough to travel, and then say sayonara there. Two American nurses, so depleted after Covid, took this trip. in the full blush of life, and now there is a residency requirement. The Hemlock Society is no more. I'd welcome---and so would most boomers---a report on the state of assisted dying in California now.
Thanks for the comment, Valerie. You’re right: unfortunately the barriers to assisted dying haven’t changed much in the last 30 years. Next Sunday I’ll interview the president of the biggest right-to-die organization in the USA. She comments on the problems here and around the world.