Yesterday was kind of a weird day. Someone who I have known for most of my life chose to end their life through the MAID program. (Medical Assistance in Dying.) He announced it on his Facebook page, right down to the time he was choosing to die, (12 noon yesterday) along with his reasons for his choice. I hadn't even known he was ill and to be honest, I didn't even know such a thing existed really, or if I had, I had not ever paid any attention to it as it is not something I would ever choose.
This was a man that we, my family, have known since my sister and I were young teens. At one point he was my sister's boyfriend. I have a photograph somewhere of the two of them at my first wedding. (They were not boyfriend and girlfriend at that point.)
That last time I was home to help mom out when she had her cancer operation, Wayne helped to ferry me back and forth to the hospital in Halifax a few times and he would take no money from me for doing so.
As a teen, he was a bit annoying sometimes, but he had always been a good friend. As an adult, he was a little bit more annoying. I found his political views to be somewhat obnoxious and he was probably one of the largest truth stretchers that I have ever known. He actually believed what he was telling you because he had stretched the truth so many times. But in all truth nobody could have done the things he claimed to have done unless they were some great demi-god.
Point in case: He once almost sawed his leg off in the woods with a chain saw but managed to drag himself out of the woods back to his home and sewed his own leg back on with a needle and thread.
And when he was telling you this story it was clear that he believed it and expected you to as well.
He was a bit of a narcissist, and a great purveyor of facts and history, the history of our peer group going back to our teens, the world, politics, etc. He had them mostly right, but often embellished them with his own version of truth.
But then again, don't we all.
But he was also kind and would have done just about anything for anyone, the only problem being that you would have had to tolerate his political rants and crazy stories while he was serving you and, to be honest, neither Cindy and I were up to that in recent years. In fact, because of his political views, she had removed him from her FB page a few years back. I never had done so, but I also never really paid much attention to his rants except to laugh internally at them either.
It bothered me all day yesterday that someone I had once been fairly close to had been so ill that they had chosen to end their lives and that I had not even known they were ill. I went to bed thinking about it last night and I woke up thinking about it this morning.
I am not sure I could choose to do what he chose to do. It goes against all of my religious beliefs. I am torn between thinking its a cowardly choice or that its a brave choice. I feel bad about it either way. I feel kind of like I let someone down big time, and I am not sure what to do with that.
I had a pretty busy day yesterday. My toenail lady came in the morning. I think she is getting a bit forgetful. She is around my age and I have noticed it the last few times she has come.
Eileen had a visit with her CSS workers yesterday. They had chair yoga down in Bridgetown at the center and then she came back up to Tim Hortons for a while before coming home.
Her flow is still fairly heavy, so I managed to get her prescription renewed for the drug they had given her at the hospital and we went to pick it up and she needed some additional feminine hygiene products as well, so we got those. She has a Doctor's appointment next week I believe and I have to take her for some blood tests.
She finished her large piece of diamond art the other night and yesterday she started another large one. This time it is a lion, mostly golds, yellows and browns. She seems to really like doing the diamond art and she also enjoys coloring on her coloring app. I have read that both are very relaxing and good anxiety reducers.
I managed to get all of my rent checks written up for the next year and dropped them off. That is always a bit of a struggle for me as I have to change the year on them halfway through them. This years were further complicated as there was a rent change amount for most of them as well. Yes, my rent has increased by 4% as of June.
We made pizza for supper. With ham, pepperoni, peppers, pineapple, onions and olives on it. It was good.
Chippy and the Guinea Fowl are back. I was just wondering the other day as to when Chippy would show up again and, to be honest, the Guinea Fowl were a bit of a surprise. I had thought they had all been hit by cars. So either I was wrong about that, or whoever owns them has gotten more of them. They were as loud and cacophonous as ever and they made me smile.
I must be doing my garbage right as they took it all. The refuse collection company recently changed and they now do it with two separate trucks. They also changed all of the rules as to what can go in what bag and there is no Spring or Autumn cleanup any more. You are allowed to put up to two large articles out per refuse collection day. You are also not allowed to put Styrofoam in the garbage anymore. It has to go to a larger collection point the same as any electrical equipment, batteries, etc. I wonder what people without cars do?
Anyways, every week when I put out my rubbish, I hold my breath until it is all taken, just in case I have done something wrong.
Also, all of the new rules were posted online on the Ask a Question page. The garbage people themselves never notified anyone. So again, what if you are not a person who goes online or who is tech savvy?
A book I had pre-ordered in February arrived. I took it to bed with me last night. I have followed Diane on Instagram for quite some time now. I am thrilled that she has published a book and I hope it does well. I predict that it will. She is quite an inspiration to a great many people.
I have enjoyed what I have read so far. No surprise there.
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In The English Kitchen this morning . . . Easy Enchilada Casserole. This was delicious and a simple matter of layering some things in a baking dish and then popping it into the oven. Corn chips, chicken, lime, green salsa, corn, cheese and a creamy sour cream sauce. Simple.
I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday. Whatever you get up to I hope it brings you joy. Don't forget!






I think differently than you.I am all in for MAID.Suffering and no quality of life whatsoever.I say leave this world as we know it with dignity and peace.To me..the answer.No question in my mind.
ReplyDeleteYour friend sounds like he was a character..:) He is at peace now.
I know how much you apprciate D Shiffer..Good for you.It is very pretty also.Poor Eileen and all this female stuff:( It never ends;)
Morning, Marie, that’s a sad story about your friend. I think it’s pretty brave to make a decision like he did. No one knows what level of suffering he was enduring. May he rest in peace. I’m off to have my echocardiogram this morning. Hope it goes well. Then we’ll pick up a few groceries. Have a pleasant day. Love and hugs, Elaine
ReplyDeleteSad news about your friend, but like Monique, I am in favour of MAID, I mean we have the choice with pets but not humans??? We are all entitled to our opinions, but regardless it was a very difficult decision for your friend to make. Had to go to dentist this morning as an old filling came out, they will replace with a crown, so have temporary filling till that part is sorted out. Thank goodness there is no pain. Perhaps Eileen needs another doctor appointment to sort out her issues. Rainy again today, ground is saturated. I have some nice veggie soup simmering away on the stove. Enjoy your dinner out tonight.
ReplyDelete