Mental Illness can be as severe as physical illness
Re: January 2023 article on including mental illness in MAID law; we have held this strange idea that illnesses, because we call them "mental" (we pretend it is of the mind, not the physical brain) cannot be as severe as other illnesses. They can be.
Harold Maio, Ft. Myers, Florida
Death Doula story brings back memories
Re: Death Doula, Feb 2023. Thank you, Gary! The photo of James gave me a good cry but flooded my mind with wonderful memories of the time we spent together during the last year of his life.
Beverley Shiels, Edmonton, AB
NO MORE COLD
Shoveling snow is no longer for me and winter is too cold
I’m going to give all that up, before I get too old
There are so many places, that will never go to ice
Where the sun’s out all day like a tropical paradise
Mesa Arizona has that nice warm feel
You can come to play and stay to heal
Whatever you want it’s all right here
Happy hour’s at four, bring your own beer
Don Hamaliuk, St. Albert, AB
A GENTLE DAILY SQUEEZE
He’s a blooming geezer and she’s more like a flower
He’s got a stubborn male ego and she has woman power
They’re attracted to each other because of who they are
There is no rhyme or reason, it just seems bizarre
He is short and fat and she is in model territory
He drinks and smokes and farts and she’s a morning glory
His choice of words is different and she is prim and proper
He doesn’t have the patience, so she’s the family shopper
And when they’re out together, you would never know
They are a loving couple and not a weird variety show
That opposing combination, will make you stop and stare
But such an unusual peculiar pairing is not so very rare
Because she is his princess to admire to hold and protect
Asks of her opinion and always treats her with respect
As humans we all need this, although to varying degrees
Love, respect and tenderness and a gentle daily squeeze
Don Hamaliuk, St. Albert, AB
HOLD MY HAND
Come on, come on, hold my hand and help me through my life
I need you there beside me, through my happiness and my strife
It’ll show the bond between us and that we really care
That the love we have inside our heart, was put in us to share
Don’t give me fresh cut flowers, they’ll wilt and die away
If you adorn me with dark chocolate, my health will have to pay
Just give me your attention and take me for a walk
We’ll work things out together, as we go around the block
We’ll talk about our future and things that we can do
Some may be my preference and some will be for you
But don’t be disappointed if it doesn’t go as planned
We’ll iron out our differences and do it hand in hand
And if you feel I’ve hurt you, give my heart a nudge
Because when my ego’s soaring, I get too blind to judge
We know our life is changing and our issues seem to stack
But I need you there beside me not in front or at the back
Don Hamaliuk, St. Albert, AB
