Gosh, is it the end of March already??? Unbelievable! Time marches must too fast. So … how are you? I hope you’re all doing well and are happy and smiling. What’s been going on in your lives? As for me and mine, it’s been a busy month. March came in like a lamb and is leaving like a lion. Rain/snow and cold tonight. We’ve all been through the nasty head and chest cold thing. I was the last to catch it and am still fighting it off. Then I got a lovely stye on my eye. Oh yes, it’s quite beautiful - NOT! Geez, I haven’t had one of these since I was a kid! *grumble grumble* Let’s see, what else … my birthday came and passed without much fanfare, just as I wanted. Thank you to all of you who sent cards and ecards; your love and friendship is much appreciated.

My son ended up having to undergo another blood patch. He was in agony from the spinal leak and the Doc thought it best to do it again and try to get him some relief. And guess what? It worked!! Yay!! He’s feeling rather good these days, which is quite a change and an enormous blessing! It happened just in time, too, because both my Hubby and son were just hired by Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad!! What a coup! And what a change, especially for Hubby! After being with the same company for nearly 23 years, learning a new job is kinda’ like teaching an old dog new tricks. LOL! But oh my, what a GREAT opportunity for both of them! It’s a great job and rather difficult to get hired on, so I am very proud of them both. They had to jump through LOTS of hoops before the final nod, but it was worth it! After they complete their 15 week training program, they will both be Conductors. Awesome!! So, FINALLY, some good news!!! ))

Now, on a much more serious note, I’ve been seeing/hearing/reading/thinking a lot about Terri Schiavo and the controversy surrounding her. It just so happens that a man named George Rice, who writes a column for our local newspaper and has been a long-time and prominent citizen of our town, wrote his column this week on that very subject. I felt very strongly that his sentiments echoed my own, and would like to share it with you:

Not a Public Matter

By GEORGE RICE, Journal-Advocate columnist

Why is the Terri Schiavo case headline news around the whole world? About one family in five in the United States is faced with this same heart-wrenching decision at some time. What has made this case stand out? Is it because her family is headline searching in ill-advised hope that public opinion will help them “save” her? Or are the media making a circus out of it in search of viewers and readers?

We’ve been treated to close-ups of sobbing relatives, shouting protesters, sad-faced candle-toters, scowling clergy, and grave medical men of all ilk.

We’ve seen politicians trying to make hay over the case, and judiciary repeatedly denying that it’s any of their business. We’ve seen film of brain scans indicating that the only part of her brain that will ever function again is the brain stem that controls just breathing and heart beat. And we’ve heard from a doctor who saw her for only one hour, and stated without any examination at all that she was capable of recovery.

Of course, there’s the outside chance that, in spite of overwhelming medical evidence and confirming decisions from every possible court, the parents have a faith strong enough to keep them going. This would have to be something stronger than any faith I’ve ever known of.

It enters the realm of obsession that clouds the mind. It gets back to the circular argument trying to define truth: Truth is what can be proven. What do we accept as proof? That which we can believe. So truth is what we believe. And what do we believe? Truth. If we accept all parties’ sincerity, the husband’s truth is not the family’s truth, and perhaps our truth would be the same as neither of them. And that’s all irrelevant. Her brain is gone. And that everyone’s truth - except her family and their hangers-on.

And when her poor, used-up body finally ceases to function, there will be another explosion of what-ifs, finger pointing, and probably litigation that will repeat everything we’ve already seen and heard, and continue the case for another year or so in the courts, in legislatures, and in our living rooms.

I wonder how much of that litigation will be accompanied by a dollar sign.

At the time of the original seizure that resulted in her present condition, her husband was awarded more than a million dollars in an insurance settlement. According to reports, this money can only be used for her medical treatment. Does this mean that, when she expires, the balance will be returned? Or will the husband get to keep it? If so, will the parents demand a part of it? Are the parents determined that he won’t get any of it? Is this even worth considering? Don’t know.

I am certain of only one thing: None of it is any of my business, nor the business of the politicians or the courts. And I resent being spoon fed off-the-wall opinions from all factions that I should accept as fact. And I resent even more that politicians are going to spend time away from consideration of the things for which they were elected to delve into this most private affair. Now, I know they’ve been invited in, but why haven’t they the spine to simply say it is not of legislative concern and get on with doing their job?

Everyone understands that Dubya and Jeb have to polish some far-right fundamental apples to keep their voter base, but that’s as far as it should go. It shouldn’t concern our elected officials or the courts. Or you, or me.