Please Take Action

Please Take Action

Please read the information HERE and HERE.

Feel free to leave comments by clicking on the colored *Comments* word below (just over to the right in the lines below my name).

Shelly

To Loyce, Al, and Sylvia .... a Reply to Your Comment

To Loyce (Jody), Al, and Sylvia ... a Reply to Your Comment

I found your comment to be quite interesting, especially considering your confused and telling statement. (Please, for future reference, please make your comments under the current dated entry....not at a past entry date. There are places where comments can be made at each blog entry right at the bottom of each dated entry. Please read the comments after each post/dated entry.)

I will quote your comment here:

****************************************
"Anonymous said...

You have single handedly destroyed one of the most spiritual and healing services Medicare ever supported. Maybe you have better read those bible verses again - judge not lest ye be judged."
****************************************

What you do not understand is that Medicare DOES NOT support the type of *involuntary* euthanasia by dehydration which each of you imposed on an awake and alert person. It WAS NOT her choice! She had no idea that her trip to that hospital was for her life to be electively ended at your request! Just as you told us that her hospitalization (actually hospice suite admission for terminal sedation) was for medication adjustment and to check for electrolyte imbalances....you knew it was to be her last visit anywhere. YOU chose it and scheduled it.

It was each of *YOU* that *JUDGED* the quality of Granny's life to be unworthy of living. Who gave *YOU* that authority? What criteria did you use to justify your decision to terminate her life? Was it that she was going to finally use some of HER OWN money for her extended care? Did *YOU* want to keep that money for yourselves? Did *YOU* want to be free to travel to Scottsdale on a whim without a second thought of anyone else? Did you want to be able to go out with friends without worry of her care in an extended care facility? Did you decide it was time for her life to end because *YOU WERE TIRED OF BEING BOTHERED*?

Who perceived themselves to be the *JUDGES* of what life is worth living? Did you usurp God's authority and plan? Did you become weary of waiting for God to call Granny home, so *YOU* sent her to him? This WAS NOT HIS TIMING, NOR HIS CHOICE.

Not only did you decide and plan her death....an awake, ambulatory, talking, eating, laughing and conversing person....but you requested it and watched it happen in one of the the slowest and most tragic manners possible. *YOU WATCHED* them DEHYDRATE her to death...for TWO WEEKS! And you have the audacity to call that a spiritual and healing act????? God Help Us All! Where is your heart? Where is your sanity?

Each of you *KNEW* this wasn't RIGHT! That is why you lied about the purpose of the hospital admission. That is why you continued to lie to us at each phone call! Only when I had asked enough pointed questions to begin to understand what may be happening and voiced that, did you suddenly become angry and *oh so defensive*. If you thought what you were choosing was right, you wouldn't have lied to us. You would have been honest ... but, you knew.

What research did you do? Did you seek cousel with your preacher or clergy? Did you research how death actually occurs by dehydration? Did you research this hideous practice at all? Yet, you chose it and scheduled it...and watched it carried out on your own mother and grandmother! Are your hearts totally made of stone?

This action of choosing *terminal sedation* has only been a choice for the past few years. It is a new and often money-seeking venture for *some* hospices. You chose it for *YOUR* benefit, obviously... all the while trying to convince yourselves that it was for her benefit. I think your delusion will not keep you comfortable forever.

Today would have been Granny's birthday. She would also have enjoyed another Christmas with family, another big dinner, and time with loved ones. One more birthday would have been welcomed by her. You chose for her NOT TO BE ALLOWED THAT TIME. She was given Ativan when at home, and not at her request! Ativan has terrible side effects in even young, healthy adults. Her increase in confusion is almost certainly a response to the Ativan that was recommended by the hospice workers to be given to her. Then, in the hospice suite, she was repeatedly and frequently given morphine (although there was NO NEED for morphine) under her tongue to make her too sleepy to be able to drink or ask for a drink of water...and every time she did wake, water was refused and more morphine given....until she slowly dehydrated and organ systems shut down... until she died.

I don't know how you sleep....or how you go about any of your days knowing that you chose to have your mother/grandmother/mother-in-law INVOLUTNARILY EUTHANIZED! If you do a bit of internet research, you will see what the term *involuntary euthanasia* is a synonym for ... go take a look.

Me, judging? Not actually. I have reviewed and weighed the facts. These are FACTUAL events. No judgment necessary. It clearly states in the Bible, *THOU SHALL NOT KILL*. And, what was it that you chose to have happen to Granny? You chose for her life to be ended...at your own request. That is the simple indesputible FACT. YOU judged her life *unworthy*. YOU judged her to lack *your definition* of quality. YOU judged her to be too time consuming. YOU judged her to not be worth the expense of long term care options and that all long term care facilities to be unacceptable. YOU judged her and YOU sentenced her to death. YOU watched it happen. YOU knew she was having all fluids withheld...you agreed. YOU kept water from being given to a thirsty woman. And *YOU* have the gall to call this a spiritual and healing experience??? How deceived are you? How sick is your heart? How corrupt is your mind? Healing...for what or who?

Now, enjoy your partying or trips to the second home in Scottsdale, and your frequent vacations. Have your fun while you can. An accounting will ultimately be held before God by each of us for what we have done. And, this will not go unnoticed. You will have to answer for YOUR choice and YOUR judgments.

God forgive us all. When our society, and even our own relatives, see right as wrong...and wrong as right....what have we become?

This is being addressed in the present time by many more people than my sister and I. Those responsible will be addressed. You will see. Take a moment and educate yourselves, finally.

While I do not intend to *judge*, I will NOT sit idly by and go quietly about my business without standing up for the innocents and those that cannot defend themselves. I have become very active and will continue as long as I live. And, there are many more like me....and many to replace me when I am gone. We are instructed to protect those that are weak and to stand up to those that take advantage.

I would have never imagined that each of you were capable of this! It was convenient and solved your impatience issue and your need for personal freedom from responsibility and put a quick end to your wait...while sparing $ for you to add to your own accounts. I don't know or comprehend how you survive with the knowledge of what you have done.

I try to imagine that you were stressed, overtired, and succomed to the polished sales pitch of the hospice personnel. But, the fact that you watched it continue for 2 weeks and did NOT change your mind...continued to withold fluids... and became impatient when her death did not happen quickly enough .... well, only God can address that with you. I cannot. I cannot fathom or believe what you have done! Who gave *YOU* the right? How can you live with yourselves? My own heart has been ripped and torn by this. I realize that I didn't know any of you or realize what you were truly capable of doing! I would never have believed any of you were capable of this. How very, very weak you must be! Or, how completely selfish and self-serving! Or, possibly both! I do not know, nor will I ever understand.

I pray for God to help me with this. I pray for God to help each of you, too.

Shelly

NIV

I Timothy 1:9

We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,

KJV

Exodus 20:13

Thou shalt not kill.

Christmas Morning Sky, Merry Christmas to All, Comments, & Prayers

Christmas Morning Sky

Early yesterday morning I went outside to get some pictures of the Christmas sky. Just one picture wouldn't do...so please enjoy the pictures that follow.




All these pictures of the Christmas morning sky were taken one after the other from our front deck. What a glorious sight to start Christmas day!

Merry Christmas to All

I hope that every one of you have had a marvelous Christmas. Beyond the hectic pace of packages, cooking, and getting together... I hope that the true meaning of Christmas was residing bountifully in your heart. I hope that there was wonderful times in the company of loved ones, good memories made, and relationships strengthened.

Gracie, one of our cats, found her own special place to cozy up after the packages were unwrapped.


All of our cats took turns trying out the newest and most sought after box of the day. : )

Comments

I've been emailed recently by some wondering how to leave comments to the posts on this blog. It's really simple. Just click on the colored word *Comments* at the bottom of each post. You can leave comments, or read comments that have been left by others, on the page that will come up by clicking the *comments* link. And, I always enjoy and appreciate any comments that you would like to share.

Prayers

I'd like to thank everyone for your prayers, thoughts, and good wishes concerning the loss of my grandmother. I appreciate each of them so very much and thanks do not seem sufficient. This has been tremendously difficult. My emotions have gone to almost every extreme imaginable. I am still working through it, and with the Lord's help, my sister and I will recover and will work tirelessly to see that this does not happen to others.

I can report that I received a phone call on Friday afternoon before Christmas that was one of the most important and encouraging things that has happened yet and has confirmed that this practice will be challenged and changed.

My prayers this week are for each of you to have a wonderful and bountifully blessed new year. I pray for good health for you, many friends, strengthened relationships, and a closer walk with our Heavenly Father every single day.

Your Friend,

Shelly

NIV

John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Psalm 119:50
My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.

Emerald Green, Sockret Pal, Knitting, Work Progress, & Prayers

Emerald Green

Well, I did my first yarn crockpot dyeing a few days ago. The yarn is all dried, and I think I had beginner's luck. I was shooting for emerald green yarn....and, I think I ended up with *emerald green yarn*. : )



There's a slight variation in the saturation of the color, but I rather like that. Rather than a flat, solid color, I'd call this a *nearly* solid. This is destined to become a CIC sweater. There are 478 yards of *almost* bulky yarn. This started out as Cascade Ecological Wool in the platinum, natural color.

I really enjoyed dyeing this yarn and plan on doing more. Thanks to Susan F. and Susan B. for the inspiration.

Sockret Pal

The Sockret Pal Swap has been the first knitting swap that I have joined. And, I must say, I have loved every minute of it.

I have loved choosing items and putting together packages for my assigned pal on the *send to* end. And, my pal that has been assigned to send to me has totally overwhelmed me with her generosity and caring.

I received another box the day before yesterday. I apologize to my pal for just now getting a chance to blog about this wonderful box of goodies! My husband brought it inside and helped me get through the tape....then I just couldn't believe it as I opened each item and saw each wonderful item.

Just look....it took 2 pictures to get all the items pictured:



Thank you again to my wonderful sockret pal. I'll cast on the sock yarn soon. The decorations are going up in our home tonight! I love the crocheted snowflake! Each item is special and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I feel I have made a very special friend out there somewhere, even though I don't even know your name yet.

Knitting

I'm still knitting mittens for Mittens for Akkol. I've also got a child's size 12 orange, raglan sweater on the needles for the children of CIC.

I've also almost finished the 6 socks at once on one long, circular needle. I apologize for the delay. I will be placing updated photos as well as a video on how to manage the 6 yarns at once on my blog in the next several days. : )

Knitting is very therapeutic and the activity of knitting has helped me through some of the grief in dealing with my grandmother's death....and especially with the hideous manner in which it came. I can feel that something productive and tangible is coming from my overwhelming grief. And, it is clearing my mind somewhat and keeping me motivated to see that changes are made and to see that those that have done this are held accountable.

Work Progress

My sister and I are continuing, undaunted, in our pursuit of justice for our grandmother. We are also continuing in our efforts of making this practice known and seeing that it is made illegal.

To choose to have a person euthanized that is awake and alert, is in no pain, and that desires to live, only as a matter of *convenience* or as a *money saving* measure is horribly tragic! To choose death for someone, rather than long term care options is beyond my ability to comprehend.

I know this is a difficult topic. I know it makes many uncomfortable. But, it must be faced! I have truly found out which friends were willing to go beyond their comfort zone to speak out against this, to read the facts, to be willing to listen or ask questions to join in the effort to stop this happening to innocents by the choice of relatives or those in control...for convenience, or to save money, or to listen to and choose to follow in action the story of *sending someone off on a journey*.

Some hospices (not all, by any means) encourage, solicit and advertise this service! There is no peer review, no consults, no second opinions, no review committee to keep ethics in place. One family member or person with power of attorney, a doctor willing to write the orders, and a hospice staff that feels they are helping someone on a *beautiful journey* can do this to nearly anyone.

The wheels of justice will turn. It is underway.

I so wish my relatives that chose to euthanize my grandmother had consulted with the clergy of their church prior to making this decision and choosing to have this done. Why didn't they consult my sister, or I? It was kept secret from us....because I believe they knew we would have strongly disagreed and never accepted this as any type of option. I wish they had looked at THIS BOOK, or THIS BOOK, or THIS BOOK. They will now have to live with their decision for the rest of their lives. I cannot imagine living with that. I care about them, but I truly hate what they have done.

Please click on the colored links in the paragraph above to see each book. They each strongly address the issue of euthanasia ... especially euthanasia by choice of others and when it is NOT the choice of the person to be euthanized.

These books include the legal aspects, emotional aspects, and a Christian view of euthanasia. I have ordered all 3 and have 2 of them in my hands already. I highly recommend them for anyone with concerns about these practices. They are well researched and written with clarity of facts.

Also, please click on the small picture of my grandmother in the sidebar above to view more information about STOPPING Involuntary Euthanasia.

Additionally, did you realize that hospices are such big businesses that some are now listed on the NASDAQ? Look at THIS. (This is NOT the hospice that euthanized my grandmother, so please do not confuse it as such. I do not know the practices of this hospice organization. I just noticed they were a company with stock investors.)


Prayers

My prayers this week are for each of you to have a wonderful and blessed holiday season. I pray that you are drawn closer to the Lord every minute of every day. I pray for those that have been ill to have health and wellness in the new year. And, I pray for you to be blessed with a bounty of friends and family every day.

Your Friend,

Shelly

NIV

Ephesians 1:3
[ Spiritual Blessings in Christ ] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

I Peter 1:3-4
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you,

Very Late Saturday Sky, A Graduate, Sockret Pal, Some Knitting, Thank You, Changes and Prayers

A Very Late Saturday Sky

This Saturday Sky is from a Saturday in November. I thought it was beautiful and decided to finally post a picture of it today.


Beautiful, huh? ; )

A Graduate

Congratulations to our precious daughter, Amanda! She's completed her degree and graduated yesterday from Oklahoma State University. We are so very happy for her and proud of her accomplishments! It was a wonderful day to be with Amanda, her hubby Ryan, and our son, Zach. As parents, we were just about to pop with happiness for each of them! We are *beyond blessed*. : )

Here are some pics. of graduation day...

Amanda on the giant, big screen at Gallagher-Iba Arena about to receive her diploma -


Amanda waving to us up in the stands -


And, some knitting that helped me with being a nervous Mom at graduation -


Congratulations, Sweetie! : )

Sockret Pal

My dear Sockret Pal sent a box of goodies a couple of weeks ago. I apologize to my pal for not posting my *Thank You* earlier. The box was perfect and really touched my heart. Here's a picture:


I love the little yarn/sheep figurine. It brought a big smile to my face. There's also the wonderful book that I have started reading. The lotion is wonderful and perfect for keeping my hands soft while knitting in winter. The yarn is scrumptious, and the stickers are too cute. I already have plans for pictures to fill the little magnetic frames! Also, the little sheep card was wonderful.

Thank you so much dearest Sockret Pal. I felt the caring in your gift box and it has indeed touched my heart. I hope you have a wonderful and blessed holiday season. : )

Some Knitting

I've been knitting a bit. It has been very therapeutic, soothing, and satisfying to be knitting mittens for the children in orphanages in Akkol, Kazakhstan. I'm not finished yet....many yet to be done.


CIC's current challenge is to knit for a sister charity, Mittens for Akkol.

I've also started a large, orange Raglan sweater for the older kids of CIC. The next CIC challenge begins in January '07, this time focusing on items for the older children. Even though I'm a bit early for the next challenge, it makes for a good occasional break from mitten knitting.

And, today in the crockpot....


This is in our older crockpot that is no longer used for cooking food. Now, it's cooking yarn! The yarn was a natural white/platinum color when it was first placed in the dye bath. I just *winged it* and mixed blue and yellow dyes to make green....and green I got! I'll post pictures when it's finished.

Thank You

I don't know how to adequately express my thankfulness to my friends that have called, written, emailed and just spent time listening to and talking with me recently. I appreciate it more than you will ever know. *Thank You* to each of you ... so very, very much.

Changes

Whether for good, or bad, change is often difficult. Lately, the changes in our society and world that I see have left me overwhelmed and saddened.

I know it is easier for many to ignore the issues at hand...and to look the other way. But, honestly, we cannot afford the luxury of doing that! By looking away from the things that are difficult, you are giving your permission for them to contniue. By not taking a stand, you are indeed taking a stand, and giving your nod to those that are doing horrible things that they may continue.

The loss of my grandmother by relatives *choosing* euthanasia by terminal sedation and dehydration resulting in death is deplorable. This change in the activities of hospice organizations is alarming, tragic, completely unethical (in my opinion) and frightening. Please take a stand....this impacts each and every one of us...and our loved ones.

My sister and I continue our work to see that this practice is made illegal. I cannot go into details, but our efforts are continuing and will not stop.

I have been watching many events recently...and more societal *looking away* from the difficult issues alarms me. Jack Kevorkian was parolled this week and will be released from prison next June. The recent vote on the Child Pain Awareness Act was defeated (where women receiving abortions at 20 weeks or later in pregnancy would have been informed of the availability of anesthesia that could be administered to the baby in utero to prevent pain during an abortion) by THIS VOTE. Do you notice a vote that is very close to party lines? (Even though over 50% voted to pass this into law, the needed 2/3 majority was not met....and it did not become law.)

I do believe in personal freedom and a person's right to make decisions concerning their own body. However, when *another person's body* is involved, well, that's where I draw the line. When the elderly, or the young, or the handicapped cannot speak for themselves...or are not allowed to speak for themselves....and if we choose not to speak up for them, then the world is turning right into wrong and wrong into right...and we are allowing it!

Please, take time to look at the HARD and DIFFICULT issues. Don't pamper yourself and stay in your comfort zone! Educate yourself and SPEAK OUT....please. Yes, these are difficult issues. But, if ignored, everyone will lose eventually.

Prayers

My prayers this week are for hearts and eyes to be opened. I pray for courage and conviction for everyone to become informed and let your voice be heard by your legislators and law makers. I pray for softened hearts for those that have hardened their hearts to the needs of others and a strengthened relationship with the Lord for each of us.

I also pray for a blessed and Merry Christmas season for each of you.

Your Friend,

Shelly

NAS

Jeremiah 22:3

3'Thus says the LORD, "Do justice and righteousness, and deliver the one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor Also do not mistreat or do violence to the stranger, the orphan, or the widow; and do not shed innocent blood in this place.