I have always told my wife when I get to the stage I need someone to take care of me to stick me on a beach somewhere with a platinum credit card in my Speedo and forget about me.
I never want to be a burden on anyone especially my family who have lives of their own.
I do not want to spend my last days staring at a hospital room ceiling.
Incidents over the past few weeks have reiterated my stance we should savour every day.
Last weekend I was in Saskatchewan to visit family especially my grandfather who has lung cancer.
When I took my daughters to see their great-grandfather we asked how he was feeling and how his treatment was getting along.
His response was surprising, but it should not have been.
He said he refused all treatment and has not seen a doctor in months.
He certainly must have seen the stunned look on my face.
His reasoning was sound. He wanted to live his life — however much of it was left — as healthy and happily as he could. This gregarious old prairie boy did not want to spend it nauseous and alone in a hospital bed. He wanted to spend it on his own terms, he wanted be with his friends and family.
I admire him for his conviction, for knowing exactly how he wants to live his life, however long it may be.
It showed me just how precious life is and we should cherish every day.
Which is another reason I was so sad to hear about the death of Amy Sands, the daughter of Okotoks Coun. Ed Sands. My condolences to Ed, Debbie and their family.
News such as this is upsetting for any parent and I know my wife and I lie awake many nights concerned about our children. Where are they? Do they have good friends? Are they doing drugs? Are they safe? Are we doing everything we can to protect them?
In essence, we are asking ourselves if we are being good parents. Are we raising our children the best we can?
These are questions only we can answer and even if you do everything you believe is right it does not mean everything will turn out to be a fairy tale.
You can only hope you have instilled good morals in your children and taught them to understand just how precious life is now and when they have children and grandchildren of their own.
