Wednesday 8 June 2016

Live, Laugh, love

This is a mirror image along the river Dart, where I was walking Moll at the weekend when up to see my dear Mum, who is in considerable pain, although she doesn't complain. The saying 'getting old isn't for cissies' is certainly true, oh so true...

I went to see the film of Me Before You last night. I loved the book, Jo Jo Moyes' best, I think, about a young quadriplegic and his decision to end his life at Dignities, despite falling in love with his carer. It was based on a rugby player who also became paralysed and feeling constantly in pain and with no quality of life, decided to end his at Dignities. It sparked a furore with people saying why hadn't his parents stopped him?

This is something I feel very strongly about: that we have the right to do what we want with our lives. We should try and make the most of them (though there are times when that's a struggle) but if things get too much, I believe we are entitled to put an end to it. After all, we wouldn't expect our animals to suffer.

Someone very dear to me took his own life - first of all when I was 18, and then 18 months ago someone else I cared for very much did the same thing. He didn't tell me what he was planning, but I understood why he did it and I wouldn't have tried to stop him had I known. I miss him very dearly, but it was his life and I respect that decision.

I know the argument for euthanasia rattles on, and I also believe each case should be judged individually, but life is to be enjoyed. What's the point if we're not?

IN the meantime, let's live, laugh, create, adventure - and love. For love is the greatest gift of all.

9 comments:

Sally said...

With you on all counts, Sue. Live the very best life we can with love and laughter at the centre if we are very lucky. xx

Flowerpot said...

Sally - yes, we must! XX And have that lunch one day...!

Chris Stovell said...

I am absolutely with you on this - and share your philosophy about love and life. Well said. Cx

Flowerpot said...

Thanks Chris X

Dc said...

Me too - had quite a few suicides in our family. At the end of the day, if people were able bodied enough to do it themselves they would. When you are not able, getting someone else involved such as Dignitas is the only way.

Flowerpot said...

DC - I agree X

ADDY said...

I'm looking forward to seeing that film ME BEFORE YOU. I read the book while I was recently bed-bound and couldn't put it down. Like you say, it must be a difficult decision to make and we cannot walk in everyone's shoes to understand, but we only have one stab at life and then we are gone.

Flowerpot said...

This is from ADDY -" I'm looking forward to seeing that film ME BEFORE YOU. I read the book while I was recently bed-bound and couldn't put it down. Like you say, it must be a difficult decision to make and we cannot walk in everyone's shoes to understand, but we only have one stab at life and then we are gone."


Flowerpot said...

Addy - I agree, I loved the book and found it much better than the film - she got on my nerves, but it was still worth watching..