The Longest Death

We visited my late mother’s cousin in Vancouver last week. Once a sprightly and sharp-witted intellectual, she is now entering “the longest death” - by Alzhiemer’s. She had no idea who we were but tried valiantly to participate in the simple conversation over lunch.

Having visited her previously in her better days it was desperately sad to see her in such a state. Though she seemed neither unhappy nor very distressed. Just very confused. It was living and not living. She was there and yet not there. She was alive and yet dead.

The sad reality is that the significant achievements of her lifetime are tending to be diminished by her present situation. As we tried to relate to her empty shell it was hard to recall the vital, passionate, creative person that she once was.

There is little dignity or meaning in this kind of life. Society needs to do better.