While that was my sentiment earlier this week, today I’ve been thinking about the situation of Terri Schiavo apart from the maze of legal efforts and political exploitation. If she were the child who spent her first nights of life sleeping against your beating heart, could you just let her die? If she, as a toddler, ran into your arms each day you came home from work, could you just let her die? If that toddler broke down crying at hearing a song about a lion’s father dying, and blurted, “I don’t want you to die,” could you just let her die? If she sang like an angel and could elicit laughter with acting, could you just let her die? If there were even the slightest hope that someday medicine could light up her creative mind, could you just let her die? If she were your daughter, could you?
Loving someone with all your heart sometimes means have the courage to let them have the dignity and gift of peace. To give up never holding their hand again…To let go of your favorite person in the world. No easy answers, no matter what the opinion. I understand all too well how painful this can be. I miss you, Dad.