"Once in A Blue Moon, Orion's Whisper, Gymnopédie No.1" Erik Satie - Feat.
Natasha Marsh - Vocals / Taro Iwashiro Mix.
Donna loved the voice of Natasha Marsh. This version of Erik Satie's Gymnopédie
No.1 appeared on her album "Amour".
Which Donna had bought in March 2017 - when she began composing her "Foam
on The Sea", that you are now reading.
Donna, My Nefertiti,
She is made up of depths even the Ocean cannot fathom.
She wears Stars upon her ears,
and clothes herself in a Map of The Heavens.
These are the last thoughts that I will phrase and action. Another irrelevant
‘suicide’. Completely insignificant – like a beautiful abandoned raindrop
on a window sill.
I stopped paying attention to anyone or anything that tells me it is a
virtue to suffer, endure pain, humiliation, terrible sadness that can be
controlled, persecution, and ordeal, relentless loss that does come with
age, in order to Die and be Free.
However, most folks do not think like me and it is their choice, desire
and right to suffer, whether they perceive it as such or not. It is not
mine. There will always be a few folks who do quite well considering age
related matters, just as there are those with hopeless and/or chronic illnesses
that do not intend to consider the thing I am going to do.
For those of you that imagine you will die peacefully, not languishing,
not lonely, frightened or sad, surrounded by loved ones, sane, free from
chronic pain (emotional, spiritual, financial, mental or physical), cared
for by endless supplies of money, and ‘guardians’ to ensure you are not
abused, - or others who somehow believe they will not meet a violent end,
or others who fantasise about –‘I will die quickly’, live fast and die
furiously, go out with a blast, and all that jazz…
I salute you. And I do hope that for you.
I for one will not be dependent on any ones goodwill, patience, kindness,
tolerance or conscience.
Nor do I buy into the fantasy that money will safeguard your safety. Vulnerable
people will always be fair game for abuse.
As much as I do not want to discuss my grandmother – because it is too
painful for me, I am compelled to. Based on the example and choice of my
parents, hers too was a choice, albeit an unconscious one, one decided
for her and endorsed by society. A society that deem such suffering normal,
acceptable, even good- ‘the right thing’. The human thing you know.
Granny died of old age at 94. She was wonderful, funny, and down to earth.
Not nearly as ‘complex’ as my parents were – she herself would say. I could
talk to her about anything – that of course translates into ‘boys’. She
was practical. We had loads of fun together. After her fourth husband died
(they all died tragically), she became an empty person.
Vacant.
They had moved to a retirement village after a very fulfilling life. They
were very happy there and made many friends. After his death, however she
was not interested in friends.
I wondered how it could be that they were all ‘old’ and yet did not get
together for dinner parties.
With wisdom I came to the realization that age is not the criteria for
friendship, or the motivator to make new memories.
Granny was given her own room – where she lived terrified until the day
she died. She had asked if she could come and live with me. It was a question
I have to block out of my memory. I was unable to assist with what was
fast becoming "special needs".
To this day, I weep. I do not weep for my parents.
They died well, on their own terms. They were not forced from their home,
nor were they violated.
They did not die non-compos mentis, as seems the fate of many who are
taken from their lives, more often than not suddenly, without out adequate
bridging and preparation.
At 87 she contracted dementia. I did not understand this terrifying and
vile disease. She did not have the disease in the way we commonly understand.
There were no periods of lucidity and then confusion. There was no repetitive
questions. She would walk, like a mad person, up and down in quite an aggressive
manner. There was crazy in her eyes.
The nurses told me this is normal. NORMAL!!!! I joined an Alzheimer’s
support group but we all felt hopeless. Those however with family and other
resource support, were able to share the emotional, physical, financial
and logistical responsibilities.
I did not have that support. It was only me. Along the road, I came to
meet many ‘me’s’. A few of us have similar opinions.
The day I visited and found the nurses dragging her to her bath – as if
a goat to the slaughter – her frail legs almost sown together with age
and dementia related paralysis, that is the day I thanked my parents again
and again and again for not putting me through this.
That is the day that there would be absolutely no negotiating with me
about the fact that I would make the choice they did. That is also the
day I could no longer bear the pain. That is the day I felt shame. I felt
shame for me – who could not do more for her. That is also the day I was
so angered at our ‘civil’ society who espouse the virtues of old age, the
‘wisdom’ of our elders.
Well, I know differently.
I was with Granny the day before she died, battling with pneumonia, drowning
in her phlegm. At one point granny returned to her soul, and she looked
at me and said;’ Donna my throat is so sore’, and then returned to her
vacant self. It had been years since she had called my name.
Nothing we could do. ‘Nature’ had to run its course. I was phoned that
night at 21h45 and the undertaker asked me if I wanted her clothes. I asked
what she had on. ‘A nightie’ they said. ’Socks?’ I asked. ‘None’ they said’.
‘Blankets’ I asked ‘. ‘One’ they said.
It was the middle of winter. On countless occasions, I would visit in
winter and she would have on only a nightie, no socks (despite I bought
her many pairs) and one blanket.
And I would rave. And rage. And I watched…. I watched those that were
compos mentis, obviously being better treated than those who were not.
There are obvious reasons for this.
The nurses/care givers, themselves, most often work in thankless, and
as with most, underpaid and overworked jobs.
Many are not skilled, nor do they have the disposition for it.
But I can’t leave our memory of granny on such a sad note – so I shall
tell you a funny one. Its about the nighties.
Granny loved nighties – you know those glamourous ones we ordinary people
can’t get nowadays. Satin and lace.
She had gravity defying boobs and never wore a bra. It was my 31st birthday
and granny flew up to Johannesburg to celebrate it with me. She asked me
what she should wear. I dared her to wear one of her nighties. And she
did just that! She slayed it!
Growing up I became aware of some of my family’s genetic vulnerabilities.
As I matured, I would have to manage a few of my own.
At the beginning of last year some cousin’s came home to roost, and if
medical prognosis is anything to go by I do not intend to stick around
to host or entertain them.
They were destructive guests at the rest of my families table. I do not
want to inflict these on my loved ones. I see no need, nor have any need
to delay the inevitable.
I do not intend to fight with machines, doctors and broccoli.
Although I have always liked broccoli, I am a pragmatist. I am dying sooner
as MYSELF, rather than a lessened "other".
This is how I choose to meet ‘God’. I will not trade my body or my mind.
I would like to be my authentic self until the end.
That is the physical/medical. I could spend a long time explaining it
all but I am not interested in justifying that.
I also do not wish to drain my financial resources, just because I am
unable to accept that I have a date with death. I do not have unlimited
financial resources.
Very few people have. I am leaving my financials to a cause that still
has its life course to run. I will not be a burden and it is as simple
as that.
I am however aware and supportive of those who choose to carry this burden
even if they do not consider it one. It may be seen as duty, or honour
bound, it does not matter. I have long ago moved beyond a point where we
do not speak about the truths of the human and financial costs that debilitating
(pending), hopeless illness, age or palliative care put on many of us.
I had this discussion with my parents when I was 19. It may disturb some
people it does not me – or the myriads of folk like me or those that work
in the ‘death industry’ and particularly those who are advocates of the
Right to Die Societies.
I have never understood the need to fight against or prolong the inevitability
of human frailty. It saddens, depresses, and even angers me when I hear:
‘he/she has lost the ‘battle’ with….(cite illness)’. Or’ he/she is fighting’,
‘he/she is a fighter’, ‘he/she is not a quitter’’.
And when they die we hear: ‘he/she has lost the’ battle’ with … (cite
illness) or ‘s/he has succumbed to his illness.’
The fragile hope placed on the incumbent’s recovery is often more devastating
than the death itself. Too often, I see the living unintentionally punish
and pressurising their dying by clinging onto them, forcing them to remain
trapped in their painful bodies or emotional and mental distress, not freeing
them and by doing so making the transition difficult for the dying.
It is an extraordinary burden to place on the dying, who very often must
comfort the living. There is to me nothing brave about holding on, but
everything about letting go – form both sides.
It is some sort of sham bravado, some sort of weird stubbornness against
the universe that will claim you.
We all have to make this journey.
>We need to be wise as to know when to fight and when to surrender.
Surrender and defeat are not the same. The prayer of serenity is a possible
guideline:
‘God (add your own deity, science or ideas of higher consciousness) grant
me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change
the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference’.
Whilst you may or may not find the above two reasons for my exiting (now)
understandable, the third is controversial. But it is honest.
It is the chronic spiritual illness of our violent and angry planet.
It is too far gone for any meaningful intervention
on my part.
I am no longer in a position, nor have I the motivation, capacity, desire
or will to confront, combat and conquer the terrible, horrific pain, brutality,
cruelty, despair and fear that the overwhelming majority of people, animals
and other sentient beings live in the world do.
I also can no longer abide those who pray for them/us from their golden
thrones. For my part, I have seen, experienced, comprehended, reflected
and understood life, especially my life, well. It is all these things and
much more that have contributed to my decision to exit now.
If anyone for one-second doubts that I have not seen, experienced, comprehended,
enjoyed the great bounty, understood the majesty, and marvelled at the
beauty of this planet, they are mistaken.
I ACTUALLY LIVED My Bucket List.
Furthermore, whilst it has been difficult for me to strike a balance between
the disproportionate disparities of these two opposing dimensions, I have
done quite well despite my predisposition to my sensitivities.
Therefore, in this regard, no one will interfere with my liberty and my
autonomy in the matter most central to my life. I will not be blackmailed,
jeopardised, tricked, ambushed or sabotaged by anyone who says, and it
always is in sincerity, to me ‘it’s such wasted potential’, ‘you can still
make such a difference’, ‘rise like the phoenix’. ‘It doesn’t have to be
this way’.
I do not have things to ‘do’.
It is all done. In addition, I will not be pressurised into having a purpose
already fulfilled.
This is my journey. The previous mentioned sentiments are part of your
journey and your interpretation of mine. What you win in this equation
I lose. I am simply a pilgrim, my own shepherd, and I will see where I
go from here. I am on a speed train to I do not know where. Maybe it misses
the station I do not know. It does not matter.
It is of no concern to my soul – or yours.
There are other reasons that are hastening my departure – I cannot commit
it to paper, mostly because then I would have to write a book. I have no
intention of being published posthumously.
A number of you have witnessed over the past three years in particular,
my bestowing all my ‘worldly treasures’ upon you. Paintings, books, statues,
clothes, jewellery – anything that I used to identify myself with. It has
been an active, deliberate, gentle and conscious process.
One of you made me really laugh. In all sincerity, you asked me if I was
going into an old age home.
Never! I will never sit in God’s waiting room. He is always late.
The physical de-cluttering was simply a metaphysical manifestation of
my detaching from earthly things that have bound, shaped, controlled and
enslaved me for so long. This has all been in preparation for the time
that is right -now.
It is impossible for me to describe the liberation that has come with
the deliberate act of de- identification. Part of this process was also
becoming more and more uncomfortable with sharing a branch with the entitled
enlightened. (I was one of them).
Therefore, I hopped off and found my own little twig to perch upon. There
were no neighbours, just travellers.
I never got lonely.
I have acquired a border-controlled substance. Let me make it clear………
nobody has helped, assisted, aided, abetted, encouraged or enabled me,
except my own instinct, privileges, presence of mind, self-determination,
and bank account, which allows for a gentle and quick transition without
hideous disfigurations.
This choice carries an extraordinary amount of years in jail, a fine exceeding
the lotto, the humility of a trial and so much more.
This is an unacceptable risk for some, but it was a risk I was prepared
to take and I have done so without compromising anyone. Of that, I am very
proud. The journey has come with unfathomable challenges.
It is not easy to die in a planned, controlled, rational, responsible,
respectful, peaceful, calm, comforting, safe and dignified way.
Anyone that thinks so is of diminished capacity.
It is obvious that I have spent a lot of time lately revisiting my parent’s
rationale, reasons and logic that took them to the place I now am at. Moments
before my dad exited, he said this to me: ‘daddy can’t protect you anymore.
Let me go’. I can tell you with complete honesty that ‘letting go’ is the
hardest part.
This has been a bit of a process for me.
To somehow find a way to let go. To realise I cannot control, help or
guide from the grave. Then I realise that that is the ego talking.
None of us can protect each other when this time comes. We all share the
human experience of birth and death.
There is nothing that differentiates us in the last moment before we close
our eyes for the final time. At the end of our last breath, we all stand
naked in front of truth. There are no symbols of faith or protections of
oaths to hide behind. This to me is profoundly wonderful and liberating.
In that instant Dad and I looked each other in the eye and we both knew
where we stood with Death, Life, the Universe and each other.
Then proceeded to nuke our Woolworths TV dinner, watch the soapie we loved,
and share a bottle of expensive wine.
Nothing more nothing less. No drama, pomp or ceremony.
My greatest gripe right now is that I will not get to see an important
ending in my favourite soapie. I mean who of you will be able to tell me
about Paula and Altus forever inspirational love affair now in jeopardy,
or the first Miss Hillside pageant ever where the first Trans woman has
appeared and no one in our ordinary lounges knows how to deal with it.
For interest sake, in the above photo I was 32, mom was 54 and my dad
55. I have Exited at 55 – I would have preferred 54 but so it is. She exited
at 61 and him at 64.
I despair when I hear people say of those who pass away at a ‘young’ age
“he/she was taken before his/hers time’ Or, ‘His/her life has only just
begun/cut short’ or ‘He/she had her whole life before her’.
Alternatively, ‘well, he/she lived to a ripe old age/had a good innings”.
Death has no preferences. When it is time, it is time and anything less
retards and stifles the process of grieving, healing and moving on.
Despite the fact that my dad was not a religious man he still had some
subconscious hangover and attachment to the poisonous age-old paranoiac,
nonsensical idea that he would go to ‘hell’ in whatever form or fashion.
He was prepared to go into ‘hell’ to find my mother. It saddened and sickened
me. Shame on any of you who support and purport such an ideology, no matter
how subtle. Karma is more insidious. The ‘coming back to ‘re-learn lessons’.
There are no lessons my parents need to learn.
Whom does all the negative spirituality serve and benefit? Where is this
useful or helpful? What is the purpose – at the end of one’s life to die
with fear in his or her heart? Surely, those of us who consider ourselves
more enlightened should be able to understand that sometimes we can cure,
other times all we can do is offer relief, but surely, we should always
be there to comfort?
All of this – fear, judgement and manipulation is not only spiritually
flawed; it is a spiritual crime, a travesty of spiritual justice. Spiritual
capital punishment will never be abolished.
I am exercising my right to die - with Dignity - Privileged to be able
to choose to die in the sanctity and comfort of my own home.
Where my Soldier will fetch me in the morning - as he always has, for
ten years. (He never tells me 'good night'. He says: 'I will fetch you
in The Morning'.)
I choose not to die at Golgotha.
I do not have to. The finest death has already taken place there. It is
a place of shame, blame, judgment, incredible cruelty and humiliation,
perversion, sadism, mockery, brutality, ruthlessness, filth and debasement.
There is no peace there.
I choose the tranquil garden of Gethsemane. I have accepted an invitation
to walk alongside the enigmatic, ethereal, and most often misunderstood
Mary Magdalen, almost invisible in the morning mists. A rediscovery of
‘Grace’.
I am Exiting , surrounded by calming familiar noises, smells, my beloved
snails, rain frogs, seagulls, the notorious Cape Town winter wind and fog,
lilies and yellow daisies; with my duvet and pillow which I do so love,
especially my pillow, and all the things some of us take for granted.
I count myself extraordinarily privileged.
I am. I really am.
Some might harbour anger and bitterness towards me despite my best efforts
to make peace with you, on this last leg of my human journey. I know that
in the final moments of my last conscious breath I will release myself
from any anger I might harbour against anyone or anything. And when the
time comes for your passing I hope you will do the same.
For the many of you that have gone above and beyond ‘duty’, enhanced my
understanding of the human condition, encouraged me despite my bugger ups,
inspired me to try to be more than I am, bandaged my knees when I have
fallen, thank you.
That is all I can say to you. I have reached a wonderful point of no return
and I am so grateful. The ultimate burden has lifted and there is tranquillity
and serenity.
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