Mom is dead. In the place she is now, wherever that may be, whose to know what she wants and what she doesn't want? No one. The main question is this: what you and I write about our mother, do we believe it is shameful? Of course not. Life is for the living, not for the dead. Isn't there a line like that in the bible? I have done many "shameful" things in my life. While still alive, I would not be comfortable with these things written on a public website (that few people view anyway). When I'm dead, I frankly don't give a damn. Write whatever you want, especially if it helps anyone. To wonder what a dead person would want in this present day for those who are still alive, does no justice to anyone. And because mom and me were very, very similar, I feel confident that my "indiscretion" would be met with nothing but love from mom, wherever she is now.
Wonderful again. I was talking with our mutual friend today who takes the "discretion" side of things, and I agreed with him that mom might not have wanted us to share the "shameful" things about her life. As you know, while dying, she felt deeply ashamed about having ALS, feeling it was God's punishment for her -- and so didn't want others to know she was sick. That leads me to my belief above. But even though I believe that, I also believe there's too much to be gained by sharing all stories -- especially the painful ones. Why? Because our mom taught us through her behavior that helping others in need is the highest imperative. And painful lessons have the most teaching value.
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Agreed again.
Mom is dead. In the place she is now, wherever that may be, whose to know what she wants and what she doesn't want? No one. The main question is this: what you and I write about our mother, do we believe it is shameful? Of course not. Life is for the living, not for the dead. Isn't there a line like that in the bible? I have done many "shameful" things in my life. While still alive, I would not be comfortable with these things written on a public website (that few people view anyway). When I'm dead, I frankly don't give a damn. Write whatever you want, especially if it helps anyone. To wonder what a dead person would want in this present day for those who are still alive, does no justice to anyone. And because mom and me were very, very similar, I feel confident that my "indiscretion" would be met with nothing but love from mom, wherever she is now.
Wonderful again. I was talking with our mutual friend today who takes the "discretion" side of things, and I agreed with him that mom might not have wanted us to share the "shameful" things about her life. As you know, while dying, she felt deeply ashamed about having ALS, feeling it was God's punishment for her -- and so didn't want others to know she was sick. That leads me to my belief above. But even though I believe that, I also believe there's too much to be gained by sharing all stories -- especially the painful ones. Why? Because our mom taught us through her behavior that helping others in need is the highest imperative. And painful lessons have the most teaching value.