DaddySatyr
Posts: 9381
Joined: 8/29/2011 From: Pittston, Pennsyltucky Status: offline
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This is a tough one for me. I'm a recovering Catholic. What I mean by that is the church and I parted company many years ago, but I still relate to quite a few of the concepts ... amongst them is that life is a God-given gift. I have a hard time acting in a cavalier manner, when it comes to ending life. I don't know that I've ever been suicidal, even in my "teen-age angst" years. However, I'm older, now. I've outlived one of my children. I have a condition that will, eventually end my life. As I notice the deterioration and I learn about what's to come, I realize that sticking around to the "bitter end" doesn't appeal to me. I do have "a plan". It's just a matter of timing. I can't imagine "pulling the plug" a day before a cure (or treatment) for my condition is announced, but I believe I have a right to decide exactly when I've had "enough". So, I still don't think I'm suicidal, but I will say this: I'm done. If God wants to call me home, I'm ready to go. I've had some fun. I've paid my taxes. I've served my fellow man. I've raised my children (youngest is 28). I've met all my obligations. I think, though, that there is a difference. I know, from personal experience, people can be so depressed that their judgement is in question. They're so beaten up by life and suffering from depression that they can't see an end to their suffering, even when one might be close at hand. They can't see the forest because of all the trees. I think we (as a society) need to come up with some kind of fairly definitive test (if that's possible) to determine that a person's desire to end their life is a matter of fore-thought. Have they really reasoned this out or are they a suffering soul for whom some help is still available? I wish I knew the answer to that dilemma. I'm not so sure anyone does. Michael
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A Stone in My Shoe Screen captures (and pissing on shadows) still RULE! Ya feel me? "For that which I love, I will do horrible things"
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