Oblivion
A story about guilt33 total reviews
Comment from lyenochka
That's so hard. To have power of attorney means sometimes having to make those difficult decisions. I am sure the father would not have wanted to continue life in those conditions - none of us would. Well told and powerful ending about the guilt causing drinking into oblivion. Best wishes in the contest!
reply by the author on 04-Aug-2021
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That's so hard. To have power of attorney means sometimes having to make those difficult decisions. I am sure the father would not have wanted to continue life in those conditions - none of us would. Well told and powerful ending about the guilt causing drinking into oblivion. Best wishes in the contest!
Comment Written 04-Aug-2021
reply by the author on 04-Aug-2021
Hi, lyenochka,
Thanks for stopping by and those thoughtful remarks! You're too kind.
Sincerely,
J. P.
Comment from Katherine M. (k-11)
this is horrific. Horrific and perfectly believable. I dread the fact that this is going to fall on my shoulders soon and for real (and I dont even have the power of attorney, so no legality - but my brother and daughter who do are stranded far away because of covid).
reply by the author on 30-Jul-2021
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this is horrific. Horrific and perfectly believable. I dread the fact that this is going to fall on my shoulders soon and for real (and I dont even have the power of attorney, so no legality - but my brother and daughter who do are stranded far away because of covid).
Comment Written 30-Jul-2021
reply by the author on 30-Jul-2021
Hi, Kathleen,
Thank you for reading my story and commenting.
Some of this is real and some is imagined--but yeah, it CAN happen very easily. Some folks also are under the impression that a DNR solves everything. Well . . . it may, if there is one in place, but only if the heart stops . . . .
Comment from dragonpoet
This is a sad story about the death of a father and the guilt of a son. If the speaker followed what he thought were his father's wishes then no guilt should be felt and the drinking should not be needed. Also, if the speaker spoke with his mother about what treatment or lack of treatment was being chosen then no guilt should be felt.
Keep writing and stay healthy
Joan
reply by the author on 21-Jul-2021
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This is a sad story about the death of a father and the guilt of a son. If the speaker followed what he thought were his father's wishes then no guilt should be felt and the drinking should not be needed. Also, if the speaker spoke with his mother about what treatment or lack of treatment was being chosen then no guilt should be felt.
Keep writing and stay healthy
Joan
Comment Written 21-Jul-2021
reply by the author on 21-Jul-2021
Hi, dragonpoet,
Thanks for reading the story and those comments.
Sincerest thanks,
J. P.
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You're very welcome, J. P.
Joan
Comment from blondie560
This is the hardest, but necessary decision a spouse or child will have to make. Other members of the family can make it even more complicated if they don't understand the person signed a DNR. My husband faced this with his mother. His father had mild dementia and didn't remember that a DNR was on file. His oldest sister always thought she saw improvement even though she was on a ventilator and the pacemaker was the only things keeping her "alive". She lingered longer than she should have because my father-in-law accused my husband of trying to kill his mother. It was a dark time and your story depicts that well.
reply by the author on 17-Jul-2021
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This is the hardest, but necessary decision a spouse or child will have to make. Other members of the family can make it even more complicated if they don't understand the person signed a DNR. My husband faced this with his mother. His father had mild dementia and didn't remember that a DNR was on file. His oldest sister always thought she saw improvement even though she was on a ventilator and the pacemaker was the only things keeping her "alive". She lingered longer than she should have because my father-in-law accused my husband of trying to kill his mother. It was a dark time and your story depicts that well.
Comment Written 17-Jul-2021
reply by the author on 17-Jul-2021
Hi, Blondie 560,
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and leave these comments. It's much appreciated.
Kindest regards,
J. P.
Comment from muffinmama
This may sound insensitive, but I've never understood guilt in this type of situation. To honor what you know would be a person's wish, to grant them respite from pain and suffering should not evoke guilt.
Brilliant writing. Every element you meant to convey was perfectly articulated.
"They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" is the moral compass I consult.
reply by the author on 17-Jul-2021
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This may sound insensitive, but I've never understood guilt in this type of situation. To honor what you know would be a person's wish, to grant them respite from pain and suffering should not evoke guilt.
Brilliant writing. Every element you meant to convey was perfectly articulated.
"They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" is the moral compass I consult.
Comment Written 17-Jul-2021
reply by the author on 17-Jul-2021
Hi, muffinmama!
Thanks for stopping by and those thoughts. Haven't seen that movie for about a 100 years. I need to give it a watch.
Warmest regards,
J. P.
Comment from Michele Harber
What a sad - and sadly relatable - story. My father was at the pulling out the catheters stage, to the point where the nurses had to bind his hands. We didn't pull the plug, because a part of him still remained, most visible whenever my daughter, his only grandchild, came to visit. He died surrounded by those he loved most.
I don't know if your story is actually fictional, or an embellished version of the truth but, either way, it's told with compassion and understanding, and a true feel of what such an experience is like. You, or your character, did exactly the right thing in merely comforting him and letting him know you were there. Even if you couldn't save him, you were there to comfort him.
reply by the author on 17-Jul-2021
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What a sad - and sadly relatable - story. My father was at the pulling out the catheters stage, to the point where the nurses had to bind his hands. We didn't pull the plug, because a part of him still remained, most visible whenever my daughter, his only grandchild, came to visit. He died surrounded by those he loved most.
I don't know if your story is actually fictional, or an embellished version of the truth but, either way, it's told with compassion and understanding, and a true feel of what such an experience is like. You, or your character, did exactly the right thing in merely comforting him and letting him know you were there. Even if you couldn't save him, you were there to comfort him.
Comment Written 16-Jul-2021
reply by the author on 17-Jul-2021
Hi, Michele Harber,
Thank you for reading my story and those comments. You're very kind.
All the best,
J. P.
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You're very welcome. It was a moving story.
Comment from ShirleyT1
I think any of us who have had to make difficult decisions about our aging parents can relate to your flash fiction story. You did an excellent job capturing the emotions and regret. Best wishes in the contest.
reply by the author on 16-Jul-2021
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I think any of us who have had to make difficult decisions about our aging parents can relate to your flash fiction story. You did an excellent job capturing the emotions and regret. Best wishes in the contest.
Comment Written 16-Jul-2021
reply by the author on 16-Jul-2021
Hi, ShirleyT1,
Thank you for your time and those kind words,
With appreciation,
J. P.
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
We beat ourselves up over such situations, but we need to forgive ourselves and get on with living. Easier said than done and I can identify with your words here, love Dolly x
reply by the author on 16-Jul-2021
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We beat ourselves up over such situations, but we need to forgive ourselves and get on with living. Easier said than done and I can identify with your words here, love Dolly x
Comment Written 16-Jul-2021
reply by the author on 16-Jul-2021
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Hi, Dolly'sPoems,
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and commenting.
Very sincerely yours,
J. P.
Comment from LisaMay
Oblivion is a fitting title for your story - the dilemma of a loved one enduring a hopeless 'quality' of life, and seeking to forget being complicit in ending life. I am hoping there will come a time when euthanasia is an accepted option. Medical 'power of attorney' is an interesting concept. I considered it for my own father, according to his expressed wishes, but I didn't want to go to jail. Dad lingered for 3 years.
Your story has impact.
"...you caressed his forehead... everything's going to be okay" and "He died the morning after his transfer to hospice, holding your mother's hand" shows his death was as calm as possible, a tender goodbye.
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2021
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Oblivion is a fitting title for your story - the dilemma of a loved one enduring a hopeless 'quality' of life, and seeking to forget being complicit in ending life. I am hoping there will come a time when euthanasia is an accepted option. Medical 'power of attorney' is an interesting concept. I considered it for my own father, according to his expressed wishes, but I didn't want to go to jail. Dad lingered for 3 years.
Your story has impact.
"...you caressed his forehead... everything's going to be okay" and "He died the morning after his transfer to hospice, holding your mother's hand" shows his death was as calm as possible, a tender goodbye.
Comment Written 15-Jul-2021
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2021
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Hi, LisaMay,
Thank you for those words. Anyone who takes the time to read my stuff, and like you have, comment thoughtfully, is very appreciated. There's a bit of subtext to why he passed so quickly after being transferred--but that would give things away.
Kindest regards,
J. P.
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You've delivered a fine story without overcomplicating it... and leaving some space for the reader's own imagination. I must admit, i did wonder why he didn't die in hospital and was moved so briefly to a hospice facility.
Comment from Lana Marie
Oh now that's a tough position to be in and a sad one at that. I was just talking to someone about the whole legal morphine comfort death of our elderly loved ones. Xoxo
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2021
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Oh now that's a tough position to be in and a sad one at that. I was just talking to someone about the whole legal morphine comfort death of our elderly loved ones. Xoxo
Comment Written 15-Jul-2021
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2021
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Hi, Lana,
Thank you for reading "Oblivion." I'm really thankful of anyone who takes the time. I've asked around about the end-of-life pill, myself.
Best wishes,
J. P.