A Photo Sent from My Neighbor's Son, Paul, of a Time That Once Was. Remembering How Quickly All Lives Pass Through This Earth

Glamis the wonder dog, was a wonderful dog, although she was all Ms. Butterlips, and always found ways to get the butter dish on the counter. She was a thief and she loved her snacks, whether she was entitled to them or not. Krystina, my 90-year old neighbor who lost her life in Poland at the turn of the new year, used to feed Glamis sausages, salami, turkey, and ham, often having prepared sandwiches for her when she jumped the fence and ventured to her front porch for a snack.

Glamis had pancreatitis, and at just 42 year olds old, six in dog years, she stopped eating and lost all control of her body functions. This happened during Covid and her passing was not expected, because we were with her each day and didn't quite see how emaciated she was getting until looking at photos of her last year. 

Life is not easy. It's complicated. In most cases it's even tragic. A natural loss, however, is what it is...caused by age, illness, and the sadness of survival. Meaningless loss and suffering are preventable, but it takes human empathy, systemic support, and a willingness of the medical profession to prolong life as much as possible, especially when they have support to follow the research, to work strategically to end suffering, and following what our knowledge base and expertise share with us. 

I'm saddened that so much of a our knowledge base is being eroded in this time in history: international connection, a willingness to do good for the world, and a dedication to look out for others who don't have it as easy as others. I'm feeling for any and all who are affected by the removal of medical support, funding for medical research, and support for generations of research to made life better than nature allows it to be. Taking away such knowledge simply seems inhumane and cruel. It's definitely not the way I was raised or what I've gained from the privileges of my education. 

I'm sending a prayer this Monday, hoping that the unnecessary suffering that lies ahead will not be as horrific as I imagine it could be because of the greed and egos of the few. Knowledge should be about providing care to the masses, to the individuals who fought to make the United States the most miraculous country in the world. I'm afraid, however, that the lack of empathy and inner cruelty will destroy what so many generations have selflessly build for others. 

Cry the Beloved Country. Things Fall Apart. We know the uglier side of human history and it's never pretty when it returns. I'm afraid we're here once again. 

I am thinking of the happiness of my neighbor who fed Glamis and loved when she'd run away to her house. Both are gone now...two that brought smiles my way. 

May others know such smiles. May the joy of smiles carry on. God help us all.