Alright my two cents:

Yes, Terri's husband is living with another woman, but it has been 15 years since his wife had the accident. He can't divorce her because she can't sign the papers, and after 15 years of total vegatative state, he's moved on with his life and (what we think) he's doing her wish to not be kept in that state any longer. I know it isn't just about money, a man offered her husband 3 million to keep her alive and he told him to **** off, precisely.

I do believe that life is precious, but I also think that marriage is precious too. I once asked my grandma if a brother and sister were closer than a husband and wife, and she said that the husband and wife had a much deeper connection, words can't even describe it. I think that if he and Terri really did talk about these things, then it is HIS duty as her husband to carry out her wishes. Despite the fact that her parents are willing to keep her at their home, as far as we know it would be going against her wishes. I just believe that when you marry someone part of your destiny and future is intertwined and mingled with your spouse, if that makes sense.

I do feel sorry for the parents, but I have to side with the husband on this issue. It can seem a little suspicious with all the stuff going on, like his girlfriend and thing (which I think is totally wrong), but mind you he was terribly in love with her when she had the accident and stayed close to her parents for many years before they began arguing about her fate. I just don't think he's doing this out of the blue, he understands that since there are NO beta waves in the brain, there's no brain activity, which means there is NO way she can possible understand or comprehend anything. The only thing keeping her alive is her brain stem, which helps in such involuntary tasks as blinking and breathing. Otherwise, she is totally and completely braindead.

Anyways, that's my feelings on the matter, don't mean to offend anybody.

Karen

GRHS, wherever it may be.

March 31, 2005

About a month after I wrote this originally for a friend who was down, it took on new meaning for me with every deep and honest reply. I sat down and wrote something. Sometimes I get depressed yes. Sometimes as they say 'Shit Happens'. Well it helps me to write. If it helps you to read feel free to

Nate

Shit happens. Sometimes we have control over it, other times we do not. People are never perfect. The best we can do is try to work through whatever mess we are in, and learn from our mistakes. The real regret I have about my life so far is a lack of recognition. Not truly seeing people for who they are. Not that I am implying that people wear masks. More to the point is that I always try to see the best in everyone, not seeing the part of them that isn’t nice.

Whether online, or in this physical life I lead; my family, friends, or myself, no one is perfect. No one is free from guilt, or some form of weakness. I have stared into myself in the dead of night, saw my life flash before my eyes a few times. Too often have I been weak, or have been afraid to do what I felt was the right thing. Maybe I was afraid to grow up, to take some responsibility for the world around me. In the last three years I have grown as much as I had in the first thirty.

There is something deeper in everyone. Some say this is a soul, or a consciousness. You might classify it as a set of morals, or a sense of right and wrong. The Buddhist says that each person is a vessel for something greater. Does this mean that we should love and respect a murderer as we would a brother? Do we praise the thief alongside the son of God? The Christian religions preach to love your neighbor as yourself. This philosophy isn’t much different.

The hardest part of life is not found in knowing the difference between right and wrong. The most difficult part of life is also the simplest thing, living how you believe in your heart. Trusting in what you feel and not letting the world stop you from doing what is right. This can be the hardest thing to do.

Many times self doubt can creep in to cover your heart. To make you question what you once relied upon. There is only one sure way to overcome what the world throws at you. Maybe it seems simple, but what overcomes fear, doubt, hate, envy, and loathing? Love does. Real love comes from inside yourself, radiating outwards past who you are, showing itself to everyone who has eyes to recognize it.

That is the pure and simple meaning of life, understanding that the world isn’t fair, that you have little if no control over your surroundings or the people around you. When you love yourself and trust in your feelings the world cannot beat you spiritually. Physically we all will pass away, someday somewhere. If you sit and worry about that, you are wasting precious time. Love yourself and those around you, even those who give you no reason to.

I didnt know much about her or the story, but I guess its very tragic.. I agree that noone deserves to die just because they are a vegetable.

~NiKliZ