Living with purpose my motivator

link Wendel Sloan

Local columnist

Death is the great democracy. No matter our role, our final bow is followed by the same curtain.

A 29-year-old woman with brain cancer has moved to Oregon so she can use lethal medications to “go with dignity” on Nov. 1.

A 57-year-old oncologist said after 75 he would refuse medical treatments to prolong life.

Although not wishing to die at 75, he feels he will have achieved his personal and professional goals — including societal contributions. After that, his quality of life will inexorably decline.

If I make it, I cannot project how I will feel at 75 and beyond. Most likely, it will depend on physical, financial and social conditions.

For now, I enjoy life. No longer saddled with unrealistic expectations, I appreciate attainable pleasures: reading, conversations, sports, meals, gaining insights into others, and, most rewarding, myself.

In the past, when people made critical comments about me, I would soul-search. Now, when speculative creatures tell me or others how I “am,” I am conflicted between yawning and rolling my eyes.

It’s never occurred to me to tell others how they “are,” since they know themselves infinitely better. Regardless of appearance, vocation or location, seldom do I meet an unimpressive person.

Of course, the ridiculous — racists, homophobes, domestic abusers, xenophobic patriots, ignorance-fueled terrorists — are exceptions.

I foresee a time when I’ll prefer to join loved and admired ones who have passed.

Of course, some say I will see them again (unless they think I am headed elsewhere). They mean well, but do not really know.

My greatest motivator between now and then is to keep finding new layers of purposeful perseverance — in the world we do know exists.

If I make it to old age, at some point my diminished body and mind — ignored by the young and isolated from dwindling, diminished friends — will be ready to escape the darkness of the known by leaping into the eternal fog shrouding the hope of the unknown.

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