Hw #18

Over the thanksgiving holiday , A lot of my family gathered together to enjoy a lot of good food. We all greeted each other with open arms and kisses. It was very loving. We embraced each other instead of ignoring "the body". Throughout the meal we had conversations with each other. It was a very comfortable setting. Sitting around the table then making our way to the couches, where some of my family members fell asleep. We enjoyed each others company and playing games together like the wii and pool. So after we ate some of us went into my uncle's game room, where we where moving our bodies instead of crashing on the couch. There was also some dancing going on. So it wasn't about neglecting our bodies. But rather living in the moment and being fully present with our bodies and minds.

On thanksgiving family members were thankful for a year of good health and for being able to be together. There was a lot of feasting going on since everyone made different dishes to eat. We all ate a lot. It was all about the food. We all ate more than we should have. It's one of those days of the year when I feel it's okay to eat till you can't walk.

Family members got up for second helpings and felt "stuffed" after eating so much. There were a lot of comments made on how good the food was and being careful of eating too much. Even after everyone had second helpings there was still a lot of food left over. Which everyone ended up taking some home because there was just too much and no place to store it all.

Hw # 17

The topic of illness and dying is a very sensitive and depressing topic to think and talk about. It conjures up feelings of sadness for me based on personal experience, having lost someone close to me to illness. The image that comes to mind when I think of this topic is that of a beautiful and vibrant blossoming flower that stem slowly begins to bend over as the flower begins to wither and lose its vibrant color leading it to fall apart and die. Flowers are also usually given to the ill in hospitals and are present at peoples funerals. Why are flowers given why not something else?

Illness and dying for those who have personal experience with it know that it can be difficult and overwhelming to deal with. It makes me think about my own life and how eventually it will come to an end. I'm not necessarily afraid of dying but how I will die. I don't want to die from a terminal illness because that could be a potentially painful experience. I would want to avoid any possible suffering knowing that I'm going to die. I don't allow myself to be consumed by thoughts of dying. It makes me think of the quote "death is certain , life is not". Dying is inevitable. I rather focus on living my life so that if I were to die tomorrow it would be okay and I would have no regrets.

I think in our society illness and dying is a touchy subject for many to broach because of the fear that is associated with them. There is that uncertainty that people have of how to cope with it. Everyone deals with it differently so there is no right or wrong way when dealing with dying or knowing someone who has.Some questions I have on this topic are:why do people turn to religion or spirituality during times of illness and dying? How do you support someone who is terminally ill and knows they are going to die?