Take good care of her and love her like they do their own mother

To the editor:

It’s time for another birthday soon. We’re all getting older every day. I read the obituaries with the same morbid curiosity I’ve always had, noting lots of people are dying much younger than I. Preparations are sort of in order. I’ve downsized my possessions a great deal so that family members won’t be overburdened by loads of useless junk.

I love living and it’s not my choice to depart into the next reality anytime soon, even though I am so wondering what’ll be the next step. Maybe cousin Jesus will give me a high five as I take in the sights with new eyes. Maybe I’ll slip into a parallel reality and the colors will be different. Perhaps I’ll be able to visit my family and friends who are still here and observe their lives. Who knows?

The one thing I do want to leave is my appreciation for this beautiful gift of planet Earth. I’m confident it will transition into its next phase with or without human intervention. But it is my hope that those who are left here will take good care of her and love her like they do their own mothers. Maybe karma deems that we all will be exploiters as well as protectors of the land. We reincarnate as a bomb-maker and then a tree-hugger. I’ve personally worn many different hats in my nearly 70 years, but the one I am most happy with is being grateful that I was allowed to inhabit this place at a time when I have been surrounded by family, friends and nature.

May we all rest in peace, if that is our wish, or dance a fancy jig and laugh off these crazy plot lines we chose for ourselves. Here’s hoping the next level isn’t all black and white, good or bad because that’s what seems to hold this reality together. Amen.

Patricia Wade

Palmer