[Sca-cooks] A small OT lecture from Auntie 'Lainie

[Laura C. Minnick]

Greetings all-

Some of you know that I had been very concerned for a friend who had bone
cancer. I skipped out on the Investiture court last weekend and drove out
to Eugene to spend some time with him- he'd been going downhill so fast
lately that his partner threw a 'going away' party for him. I had a whole
hour- a precious hour to talk and laugh and cry and share with him what he
meant to me. How many of us have that chance? It was a miracle, and nothing
less.

One of the hardest things I have ever done in my life, was to put on my
coat, turn my back, and walk out the door and to my car- knowing that I
would never see him again. It was painful.

Kevin died Thursday morning, thankfully in his sleep. He'd been in
incredible pain and it was a blessing that he could go.

My small lecture is this: force yourself to sit down and think about what
you would want to happen if you were in an accident, seriously ill, or such
situation. What do you want to happen? What do you not want to happen? Sit
down with your family and loved ones and TELL THEM what you want. And then
put it in writing. It is fairly easy to put together a living will and a
medical power of attorney. Your doctor's office can tell you where to get
the papers.

It is hard, and I know it. None of us want to face our own mortality, but
if you aren't specific about your needs and wishes, *someone else* will
make the decisions for you- and they may not be the same ones.

Last summer I put everything in writing, designated three people to be
authorized to act on my behalf. And you know what? I found it curiously
freeing- to know that my wishes will be honored, and if I can't speak,
someone I love will speak for me. It is an amazing feeling.

Do it. Today. Don't put it off to some other time. Your loved ones will
thank you. Your doctor will thank you. And Auntie 'Lainie will have done
her good deed for the day in goading you to do it. :-D)

hugs,
'Lainie
___________________________________________________________________________
"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president ... right or
wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to
the American public." -- Teddy Roosevelt, 1918