I’m looking out on a “physical rehab” center that is no more than a continuous care facility/old age home. Just now, a siren was going and stopped en route, then backed up slowly and staff went inside.
Years ago I decided to end the suffering of my cat, after staying until 4:00 in the morning for him. I was called “Nathan’s Mom” all that time, and from the time I decided to be there to help end his life I was only called by my given name. He was 13 and suffered from congestive heart failure combined with pneumonia.
Oh, they’re taking the body out. I think they want to turn this human’s room over quickly, as there is money to be made, as there was with Nathan.
Nathan the cat’s is the first death I ever ordered or participated in. I cannot tell you what it was like to feel the life leave his body and I believe his soul entered mine. Having a life in one’s hands and cradling the body is a feeling one cannot convey in mere words.
The lights and sounds go off the ambulance for human beings, the owner becomes Mr. or Mrs. Smith if it’s an animal. Here it comes, in a black plastic bag, what was a person 1/2 hour ago.
As a child, growing up Catholic, we were never taught how babies were made or why people die, even that people died. We were kept from it all.
Now the body has been dutifully and respectfully loaded into the ambulance. The person in charge must be doing the paperwork while the others are out having a cigarette. Death as a business. I choose life. Dee
Cooking with Dee 
Dearly departed ML, it would be wonderful if the entire staff was sharing a dram of sherry in the lobby to send this person off. Much love, Dee