Death and the Care Manager

There have been two client deaths in three weeks.  Both of them were nicknamed Ellie.  Both were women of elevated backgrounds, intelligent, astute, affluent, mentally acute even in their advanced age.  Ellie B. was gay and had a life-partner equal to her in every way.  Ellie C. was widowed with a son and a daughter.  Their life-styles were different, but they were both women of charm and a sort of homespun elegance.  They had both seen a great deal of change in the world in their eighty-plus years.  They lived long and well and when death came for each of them, he came quietly and with dignity.  They felt no fear or pain.  I hope they find their personal concepts of heaven to be everything they ever dreamed of.  Requiem in Pacem, Ellie B. and Ellie C.
Save me a good place.

Happy New Year to us all

Who knew we would ever make it to 2011?  As someone born in 1948. it was never an absolute certainty to me.  Fiddlesticks!  At seventeen I never thought I would survive long enough to be thirty.  It was a sign of the times.....nuclear arsenals, bomb shelters, fast cars, corrupt politicians, scandals, massive frauds, rampant pornography, abuse, neglect, raging poverty..........actually, very little has changed.  But, the fact is that something has changed.......ME.  At sixty-two I have had a change in attitude.  Where once I said that I was only one person so there was nothing I could do, now I say....and truly believe.....that all change begins with one person......that first person who refuses to abandon something that desperately needs changing because of its flawed, yet inherent value.  Well, here I am, World.  As long as I am here, I will work at changing what needs changing.  "God bless us, every one...."