When my sister died,
she chose to stop life support,
knowing the consequences.

When my father died,
a heart attack damaged him
beyond choice.

When my mother died,
she decided, "That's it. I've had enough,"
and willled herself across the border.

Nancy pulled her own plug.
Someone stole my father.
Mom faded like a sailboat easing into the fog.

What will be the metaphor
for your parting?

Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.