Mature Content Warning: Mortality & Fatality

A very dear friend of mine who I consider family, just received a cancer diagnosis. As soon as their mind considered the practicalities of such a grave situation, panic set in and their mind thought the option of suicide was a better choice than taking on the medical system as a young person of color, with a minimum wage job and bad health insurance in the United States of America. I’m quite familiar with the political ideologies of countries like Australia, New Zealand and Spain where healthcare is not much of a burden for citizens. Young people should have the rest of their lives to look forward to - we are just getting started! That makes me furious. Each person who receives news in the fatality category has their own unique, specific experience that is deeply personal to them. Even if you are receiving news about a loved one, there's a lot of empathy and grief you experience as a witness. But the fact that when faced with a serious disease, however treatable still serious, someone would opt for shortening their life EVEN FURTHER AND FOR CERTAIN than face navigating our medical system and the financial burden that you have no concept of how you will be able to bear. This breaks my heart in so many ways. My friend has since become calm, been surrounded my family and has an action plan supported by loved ones. 

I've spent an above average amount of time in and out of hospitals as a patient. My introduction to the medical system being treated for various injuries related to a car accident I was in in 2009. I was too young to really conceptualize how fatal the situation was and the healing process from that event still continues today.  My parents were there to help me navigate the system and support me financially, which I will be forever grateful for. Yoga has made the biggest difference in recovering from injuries and getting rid of scar tissue and rebuilding my strength. The meditation element of yoga has also been the most healing for my brain and my nervous system. 

Facing death or talking about it is still pretty taboo in popular culture. But, those of us who have come face to face with it have a different outlook on life usually. A man who helped save my life on the day of the car accident, was able to find me on social media and let me know he got the verse "Life is Short but Sweet for Certain" tattooed on his arm after that day. Ask somebody for help if you need it and let someone know you love them today. Here's a tune!

Two Step by Dave Matthews Band

[Verse 1]

Say, my love, I came to you with best intention

You laid down to give to me just what I'm seeking

Say love, you drive me to distraction

Oh my love do you believe that we might last

A thousand years, or more if not for this

Our flesh and blood, it ties you and me right up

Tie me down, ah well

[Chorus]

Celebrate we will

Because life is short but sweet for certain

(Hey)

We're climbing two by two

To be sure these days continue

Things we cannot change

(Change)

(Why would I want to change it)

(Change)

[Verse 3]

Hey, my love, you came to me like

Wine comes to this mouth

Grown tired of water all the time

You quench my heart and, oh, you

Quench my mind