Flora's gone

Went to the Chute today and a room was empty, the nametag on the door already gone, cleaners scrubbing, and workmen taking down something from walls or windows. I couldn't remember whose room it was, but found out it was Flora's. She's the one who sat lop-sided in her wheelchair and had to be fed. It was sad to see her so helpless, but the aides always seemed able to find a spark in her eyes. I'm less "good" than they are - I always thought it was a tragedy that anyone had to live like that. She was a once-proud woman, I'm sure. Now she is gone.

I heard an older woman on NPR today talking about how frustrating it was that she needed help to eat. "I can't even eat by myself any more," she wailed. "Someone has to help me, and it is so degrading."

Degrading? We are complaining about the way life unwinds? Yes, it sucks. But when you can't eat by yourself any more, should we just let you starve? Actually, I think that's a great idea for myself, but I wouldn't want to be responsible for doing it to someone else. Wouldn't be good for my karma.