President Barack Obama – SeasonedSistah

Today’s Assignment

“Publish a post for your dream reader, and include a new-to-you element in it.”

Dear President Obama:

I cast my first vote in 1960 at the age of 18; and, thereafter, I continued to vote in every Presidential election. Because people suffered and died fighting for our rights to vote, I felt it was my obligation to cast my vote. But, I never saw any value in voting during the mid-term elections.

Instantly, when you, the Junior Senator from Illinois, announced your candidacy, I became a political junkie. Though I donated, volunteered, and voted; truthfully, I didn’t think you could win the Presidency.

You won. And I continued to support you by donating, volunteering and voting in the 2010, 2012, and 2014 elections. Voting for the first time in mid-term elections because I saw the value in supporting your administration and policies.

A Black man in the White House, led me to believe we were moving toward overcoming the racial divide in this country. But, the divide appears wider and even goes beyond race. And, I was sad.

I was saddened that you are disrespected, hated, and demonized by so many.

I was saddened that members of Congress met on the evening of your first inauguration and vowed to make you a one-term President.

I was saddened that there are people who fail to see the value in providing affordable health care to the uninsured and underinsured.

I was saddened by those who think it’s okay to deny and/or suppress our right to vote.

I was saddened with proposals to privatize and/or voucherize Medicare.

I was saddened by our failure to deal with gun control.

I was saddened by the inability to deal with the Illegal Immigration issues.

But, I was uplifted after reading your November 7 letter:

“Yvonne, the hardest thing in politics is changing the status quo. The easiest thing is to get cynical. The Republicans had a good night on Tuesday, Yvonne — but believe me when I tell you that our results are better because you stepped up, talked to your family and friends, and cast your ballot. I want you to remember we’re making progress. There are workers who have jobs today who didn’t have them before. There are millions of families who have health insurance today who didn’t have it before. There are kids going to college today who didn’t have the opportunity to go to college before. So don’t get cynical, Yvonne. Cynicism didn’t put a man on the moon. Cynicism has never won a war, or cured a disease, or built a business, or fed a young mind. Cynicism is a choice. And hope will always be a better choice.I have hope for the next few years, and I have hope we’re going to accomplish together.”

Mr. President, I appreciate your taking the time to connect with me; and, I am grateful that my cynicism didn’t keep you out of the White House. Thank you of this uplifting letter.

SeasonedSistah2

To My Readers: Now, I realize this letter went out to millions, but I feel less cynical and more hopeful after reading it.

One day last week, I had to stop, listen and process an interview on one of the cable news stations.

I was shocked!! Why, was Dr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel saying he wanted to die at 75?

It was unbelievable. And I asked Hubby, “was that the same Dr. Emanuel who shows up on so many national news programs speaking as an expert on health related issues, especially, the Affordable Health Care Act.” He said, “yes, but didn’t recall the details.”

Because we both missed most of the interview, I wanted to learn more. So, I went to my IPad and googled, “why I want to die at 75 Ezekiel Emanuel.” My friend, Google, found a lengthy article featured in the September 2014 issue of The Atlantic written by Dr. Emanuel.

Why I Want To Die at 75: Ezekiel J. Emanuel, M.D.

“I am sure of my position. Doubtless, death is a loss. It deprives us of experiences and milestones, of time spent with our spouse and children. In short, it deprives us of all the things we value.

But, here is a simple truth that many of us seem to resist: living too long is also a loss. It renders many of us, if not disabled, then faltering and declining, a state that may not be worse than death but is nonetheless deprived. It robs us of our creativity and ability to contribute to work, society, the world. It transforms how people experience us, and most important, remember us. We are no longer remembered as vibrant and engaged but as feeble, ineffectual, even pathetic.”

Dr. Emanuel is a healthy 57-year-old and does not plan to end his life at 75 either by assisted-suicide or euthanasia. But, he does say, “At 75 and beyond, I will need a good reason to even visit the doctor and take any medical test or treatment, no matter how routine and painless. And that good reason is not — ‘it will prolong your life.'”

He also contends that in America we are so focused on doing things “like exercise, strict dieting, popping vitamins, etc., in an effort to cheat death and prolong life as long as possible. This has become so pervasive that it now defines a culture type – what I call the American Immortal.”

Why I Choose to Live Beyond 75

Dr. Emanuel says he only wants to live until the age of 75; and, I respect his right to make this choice. But, two years from now, if I reach the age of 75, I will continue to make healthy lifestyle choices. These choices will be made not to prolong life, but to live life to the fullest.

While physical ailments, dementia, feebleness, memory, problem solving and other health conditions, relating to the aging process, may occur; I believe, forecasting what may happen in my future, inhibits my ability to live authentically in the present moment.

Today, I am a relatively healthy, 72-year-old with several manageable chronic illnesses. In 2008, at the age of 66, I was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer. Dr. Emanuel contends if he were diagnosed with cancer, after the age of 60, he would refuse treatment. Again, I respect his right to make that decision. But, I chose treatment.

And, over the past six years, I have been gifted with being in the present moment when my:

eldest grandson graduated from college
eldest granddaughter graduated from high school;
eldest grandson graduated from high school;
youngest grandson, graduated from middle school; and,
youngest granddaughter’s birth seven months after my 2008 breast cancer diagnosis.

Had I elected not to pursue treatment, I possibly would not have lived to see these major family milestones.

Additionally, beyond family milestones, I would have never witnessed the election of America’s first African-American President. Something that I never expected would happen in my lifetime.

So, if I continue to be blessed with sound mind and body, I plan on being an active participant in managing my aging process beyond age 75.

And, I will not: