Some people choose to die, others have no choice.

Ever wonder why these suicide bombers have so little respect for life - theirs or others - that they can do what they do? They probably haven't experienced watching a close relative or friend dying of a terminal illness. Most of us don't have a choice about the way we are to die, and if we did, we would probably want to make it as quick and painless as possible. But not until we had lived long enough to fulfill our earthly dreams and desires.

This morning I received a phone call, telling me a close friend had died last night. The lady in question was the same age as me (57) but had lived a very different life. My health overall has been pretty good up until now, apart from one bad motor accident from which I recovered, and high blood pressure which is pretty standard for most people after about 50! But my friend Claire was diagnosed with diabetes early in life. Due to various errors on her doctor's part at the time, she eventually had to have a kidney transplant (16 years ago). In the following years, she had to have both legs amputated, due to complications with the diabetes. Not both at once - a few years in between each amputation. But none of this stopped her and her husband having three children, who are now all lovely young adults. She was involved in community activities as much as she could, and she enjoyed dining out, visiting friends, shopping, and entertaining friends.

Last night, she and her hubby had been out to dinner. Apparently when they got home she said she didn't feel well, so he put her in the car and drove to hospital, but she died on the way there. The only positive side of this is that she passed away quickly and quietly. If she had not gone like this, the chances are she may have lived for another year or more, while her body eventually rejected the transplant - a horrible way to die, but it was what she told me last year that she was expecting.

I mourn the loss of this very dear friend - a lady greatly loved and admired, who always showed courage in the face of her adversity. I will miss her company, her sense of humour, and our shared opinions of politics and politicians.
Vale Claire Stanley. January 12, 2006