Not Here by Choice
Here is a beautiful TED Talk by Phyllis Shacter about her husband’s decisions regarding treating his cancer and addressing his Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Phyllis’ husband, Alan, chose Voluntary Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED) to provide him with the end-of-life he wanted. There are many choices, and no one is better than another. What’s important here is that he and Phyllis talked about what he wanted, what was a life worth living for him. He was clear what was acceptable and able to craft an end that fit those desires.
My wish is that we are all able to be as clear in our wishes as Alan was, and that we are surrounded by people as dedicated to us as Phyllis was to Alan.