What is a timely death?

While I was posting this morning's video upload to WhatsApp just before 'Thought for the Day', it started to rain heavily. It didn't continue like that all day, showers came and went, giving way to sunshine late afternoon, freshening the air, prompting the birds to sing. We haven't heard much from them recently.

Archbishop George Carey is in the news today together with Rabbi Jonathan Romaine spearheading a debate as part of a campaign to permit assisted dying in certain controlled circumstances. It seems there is a growing tide of opinion in favour of this in Britain, although the majority of religious leaders are opposed to it. It will be interesting to see how Parliament responds to draft bill proposals. 

There are countries where voluntary euthanasia is allowed - Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland, some Australian states, New Zealand and Canada. We have an increasing problem due to medical success in keeping people alive when they might have died earlier naturally. This can so easily prolong someone's helplessness and suffering, so matter how good palliative care can be if available. We have plenty of ideas about what a good life consists of, but don't readily consider what a good death may look like.

I attended the Eucharist at St John's taking the shopping trolley with me, avoiding puddles. Archbishop Rowan celebrated with a dozen of us. On the way back I called at Beanfreaks and collected the groceries Clare ordered yesterday and then forgot to collect. She was in school this morning, fitting the kindergarten class with eurythmy shoes. She brought the entire stock of tiny shoes back home with her for a machine wash. They made a cute sight drying outdoors between showers.

While I was out walking in the park after lunch, the piano tuner came for the first time since the pandemic. The piano wasn't badly out of tune, but it has benefited from some TLC, so Clare is pleased, playing and singing happily in preparation for choir practice at St Catherine's. We had supper early, then went to choir practice together and sang for an hour and a half. I was surprised how tired my voice was by the end, not to mention the rest of me. Early to bed now.