Euthanasia is the painless killing of a person or animal suffering from an incurable and painful disease or in an irreversible coma.
I know a lady. She was a close friend of mine while growing up. She was a good lady who looked after her parents and was never in any kind of trouble. She was kind and always went to church and so pleasant to others.
In short summary, she was a very nice person.
Today, she weighs 80 pounds, doesn’t know her own name or anyone else’s, doesn’t interact, sleeps most of the time, cannot feed herself and has no idea if the sun is coming up tomorrow or the moon is going down tonight.
A body without a brain; a soul without a mind.
She has no idea that she is in the world, and tomorrow she will remember nothing. Her brain cells have been dying for some time now, and there is absolutely no chance that any new brain cells are forthcoming.
For all existing arguments to keep her alive, if she had a say as to whether to live or die, her choice would be easy.
What would you choose?
Some politicians, priests and others would not support her choice but their thinking may be flawed.
It is why only 10 states in this country have a death with dignity law that permits the seriously ill to kindly and peacefully depart this life with medical assistance.
Herodotus, a 5th century Greek historian suggested many years ago that “Death is a delightful hiding place for weary men.”
It seems a little odd to me that, a reasonable and logical person of ancient days would suggest that death provides a welcome release and a final escape from life’s struggles, hardships and ‘suffering. It seems so unfortunate today for those who suffer, that more of us don’t understand Herodotus’ logic.
In the September 2025 edition of the Atlantic magazine, I find much reasoning and support in the recent decision of the entire country of Canada to support a law on ‘euthanasia.’
I thought about my lady friend and many others like her who would choose to escape from life’s struggles, hardships, and ‘suffering if only she could.
One’s choosing of life or death is not the property of a politician or priest. Even Jesus, I’ve read, came to heal the sick and dying; people rejoiced when the lame walked, the blind saw and the dead rose from the grave.
But what of those who were not healed and continued to suffer; those who are like ‘withering vegetables’ in a cruel garden?
I sometimes think that keeping a person alive and suffering today is more about money than any kindness or mercy that I know.
It is most difficult to watch as a loved one leaves this life, but I always find it increasingly more difficult to watch them lie and suffer needlessly.
Elana Plott Calabro’s article, ‘Canada is killing itself’ in the September 2025 issue of the Atlantic magazine is most thought provoking.
In 2016, the Canadian Parliament legalized the practice of euthanasia. The Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) act was passed.
MAID now accounts for about one in 20 deaths in Canada.
Gord Gubitz, a neurologist, who assists patients to die, was asked about the ‘stress,’ ‘trauma’ and ‘strife’ of his duty to assist. Isn’t it emotionally draining?
His reply:
“He finds euthanasia to be ‘energizing’ ~ the most meaningful work of his career. “It’s a happy sad, right? He explained:
“It’s really sad that you were in so much pain. It’s sad that your family is racked with grief. But we’re happy you got what you wanted.”
Another activist suggests that a competent person should be able to make a competent choice about their own death ~ ‘Don’t access the choice if you don’t want ~ but stay away from my death bed.’
In the case of a dementia or an Alzheimer’s patient perhaps as part of their preparation testament in their medical will, a future option might exist, to select the path to euthanasia as the disease progresses.
It seems at times we think more of ending the suffering of a family pet, than we do a loved one lying in a nursing home bed who doesn’t know who or where they are and never will again.
Why do I respect and admire a nation, that cares for its population and provides an avenue to assist those from their misery and suffering?
I, too, believe that ‘Death is a delightful hiding place for weary men (and women).’
You may one day too……
