"To see the gift of life as a "burden" in any way is a result of error." Fr. J. M. Sullivan.
Our society seems to revere youth, strength, beauty, vitality. We do not hold as much esteem for the aging as do some other cultures. So, here we are as caregivers, with the many tasks to do and the lessening of any reciprocity from the care receiver; and we have also to contend with society's discomfort with the process of debilitation. In church last night people noticed Dwane's struggle getting his jacket on. I think people are torn between wanting to offer to help and wanting to avoid the whole process, because interacting with someone with a terminal disease is such a reminder of our own mortality. Is part of our task, perhaps, to honor the life as it is ebbing away?
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