Enjoying Life

Ernest Hemingway died when I was in high school.  I remember that he committed suicide.  It was the first time, I think, that I ever heard the word "suicide."  I remember discussing his reasons.  One that I still meditate on is that he lost the ability to write.  Maybe, he lost the ability to do what he usually did.  But he did have more physical  and mental problems than people should have, so I think he could have used help dealing with those.  I don't think he was the type to ask for help.

I still think of his suicide, now and then.  My feelings of abhorrence haven't changed since I've been fourteen.  I still think suicide is ultimate selfishness.  The victim is only thinking of themselves, otherwise, why would they deliberately hurt those who loved them most?  The people left behind are devastated.

Before suicide, I hope people go for counseling.  I have a friend whose boyfriend committed suicide forty years ago.  She still wonders why.  She thought they would have a promising life together.  Another family grieves because their loved one, like Hemingway, believed he had lost his ability
 and killed himself.

.Maybe victims of suicide get too caught up in what they can't do, i.e., write, walk, etc., instead of enjoying what they can.  In other words, one can still enjoy sunrises and sunsets, laughter, music, the feel of the sun, create stories in your head--intangible beauty.

As we age, we won't be able to do what we used to do, anyway.  We cope as best as we can.  I don't jog anymore, I walk.  I can't play softball, I watch.  I don't teach, I play.  There comes a time when we all can't do what we used to do; it's now time to just enjoy and not do.

Questions for Cardinal Sean Patrick

Massachusetts has a vote in November, known as Death with Dignity.  It's an attempt to push an agenda, that is really not at all about health care, or patients' needs; it's about a physician assisting someone to kill themself.  Physicians need this vote to pass a law so they won't be sued.  It's about insurance, not health care. To explain the stance of the Catholic Church, our Cardinal Archbishop, Sean Patrick O'Malley is hosting a "town-hall" like meeting.  This will be re-broadcast many times.   Besides prayers, Catholic TV is requesting people to send in questions.  Use Facebook, Twitter, the station and email     townhall@catholictv.com     Rebroadcast times on CatholicTV  Oct. 4 at 2 p.m.; Oct. 4 at 9 p.m.;  Oct. 5 at 12:30 a.m.;  Oct. 7 at 2 a.m.;  Oct. 8 at 9 p.m.;  Oct. 13 at 4:30 p.m.;  Oct. 15 at 8 p.m.; Oct. 20 at 4:30 p.m.; Oct. 22 at 8 p.m.;  Oct. 29 at 10:30 p.m.;  Oct. 31 at 7:30 a.m.;  Nov. 2 at 2 p.m.;  Nov. 3 at 3:30 a.m.;  Nov. 5 at 8 p.m.;  Nov. 6 at 6 a.m.  and noon. Visit iCatholic at: http://icatholic.catholictv.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

Jump! Jump!

The Arizona Republic had an article on the conflict between Bishop Olmsted and St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center.  St. Joseph's is the Catholic hospital that performed an abortion supposedly to save the life of the mother.  Perhaps you've heard of the controversy?  Yeah, ad naseum.  But in case you're cloistered and don't know what I'm referring to, go here for the story.  Thanks to http://themotleymonk.blogspot.com/.

I don't want to get into

• the pressure insurance companies put on doctors
• fear of litigation
• taking the easy way out
• the role of the media
• American mores
• whether of not the abortion was necessary

...and I really don't want to get into whether or not the Bishop is wrong, because he's not.  Either you're Catholic or not.  Fine.  Take the name Catholic off.  This is the Bishop's call.  Lump it.

What really bothers me are the people who are urging the Hospital Board to fight the Bishop.  The ACLU is attacking Bishop Olmsted for opposing abortion.  Commonweal urges the hospital administrators to stand up to the Bishop.  Some people question the Bishop's jurisdiction over a Catholic hospital.  I've even read that Rome needs to jettison "excommunications" from Canon Law because bishops have little credibility; the hospital needs to separate itself from the Catholic Church; the best thing the hospital could do is tell the Vatican to shove it; terminate all connection to the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix; fight the excommunication--the Bishop has no right to do this....

...yakty yak.  Reminds me of the type who stand on the street yelling at the man on the ledge, "Jump!  Jump!"

The heart wrenching exigencies that caused this predicament aren't even given consideration.

They just want blood.