Monday, November 22, 2010

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?

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