A quiet act

Thank you to all emergency vehicles! As I was running with my 2-year-old today, a couple of emergency vehicles were called to a situation. Both vehicles turned off their sirens as they got close to me and proceeded to turn them on a couple blocks away.

I can’t tell you how thankful I was for that. This is the second time they have done this for me and I’m sure many others in our community.

The consideration you have shown me does not go unnoticed! Thank you so much.

Patti Kristmann
Hood River

People first

Greed is good, particularly if one’s primary goal is to make as much money as possible. Certainly a laudable pursuit worldwide.

The institution of banks provided us with the facility for exchanging services, for a fee, in the form of currency. This is an excellent system, but a system with a flaw built into it that disregards a human trait we all have to some degree or other: Greed.

Greed is good for those who control this financial system. If one’s goal is to make as much money as possible, no matter whether one breaks the law or falsifies some record, the admonition seems to be: “Don’t get caught but if you do get caught, lie.”

We now have a worldwide meltdown of this financial system that glorifies profit over the people who collectively produce all the products and services we all enjoy. By default we have become a PROFIT-FIRST SOCIETY. We are now living with a broken financial system, trillions in debt, no jobs for many, homes lost, etc.

We stand at the turning point in world history, as well as our own history. We must reassert ourselves to become a nation that believes that people come first and profits will follow as long as the people creating these goods are paid a fair living wage. We need a new platform of people first.

Anatole S. Fetisoff
Hood River

A joy stolen

This is a very sad day for us. Due to the arrogance and indifference of neighborhood pet owners who believe the current animal control laws don’t apply to them, we have lost a dear pet.

Aflak was a big, gentle, sweet goose who lived on our pond. This morning I called to him as I often do and waited or his “squawk” in response. My husband walked through the door and quietly said, “He won’t be answering you today.”

He had found Aflak lifeless from injuries suffered in a brutal attack by dogs who are allowed to roam free by irresponsible owners, and leave a path of destruction as they so choose.

I’m writing this in hope that people will be aware that there are current animal control laws in the entire county designed for public safety; and if owners do not obey these laws, they should be reported to authorities. I can’t protect Aflak anymore, but perhaps I can save someone’s pet (or child) from being hurt or killed by speaking up and making everyone conscious of laws that are there for our protection!

In these current days of so much sadness, it is a shame to lose a pet that brought a smile and a chuckle to our lives on a daily basis. He was not the kind of pet you could pick up and cuddle, but he interacted with us and entertained us with his silly antics. A simple joy — watching a lovely white goose slide across pink water at sunset — has been stolen from us.

Diana Caryl
Parkdale

No taxes, ever

I have befriended and discussed politics with many members of the Republican Party over the past several years living in the Gorge.

A recent letter to the editor implied that Democrats are acting under humanitarian auspices when they seek to collect taxes from those fortunate enough to make good wages in order to ease the burdens of life for those (paraphrasing) “too lazy ... to avoid death by freezing or starvation.”

The letter also suggests that successful Republican (?) business owners will or should purposefully reduce their workforce and profits in order to avoid the inconveniences of taxes.

I can’t imagine any of the aforementioned Republicans I ran into cutting work force and profits just to spite us proud Democrats. Channel 2 News Wednesday night reported on the outlandish bonuses presented to AIG management. In the next statement, they acknowledged three of the four financial bailouts were approved by the — you guessed it — Bush administration!

I know those guys won’t be cold or hungry. Hopefully they won’t be Democrats and give up a lot of that bonus money in taxes.

Steve Kaplan
Hood River

Thanks, readers

I want to thank all of my friends and family for supporting me through the “Cash for Spring” campaign, including all of the new subscribing friends I have met.

Although we went back and forth, from houses all over Hood River to the Hood River News headquarters, it was worth it. My “Matrix” moves paid off! Every subscriber helped me, other competitors, and especially the Hood River News.

I think I speak on behalf of all competitors when I say “thank you.” Happy Reading!

Breanna Weekly
Hood River

 

BIRTH TO DEATH: FOUR VIEWS

Art really can heal

By MARY ZENORINI

I am writing this letter not just as one of the curators of the March show at The Columbia Center for The Arts titled Art Heals — Birth to Death, but also as a gerontologist who works with the social and psycho-social aspects of aging, a member of ADEC (The Association for Death Education and Counseling), a death educator, and a hospice volunteer.

My letter is prompted by your editorial viewpoint in the March 7 issue of the Hood River News, and two subsequent letters from readers. First, thank you for your balanced and well thought-out perspective on the show. I was pleased to see you say that it “gives the community a concentrated opportunity to assess our general well-being.”

I was sad then, to see the March 11 letter titled “Death Hurts” by a woman who assumed based on your comments that the show was about “sugar coating” death.

Nothing could be further from the truth, nor, I think, did your remarks seem to imply that. Art Heals — Birth to Death is not just about death. It is very much about life, and the events that occur during life that necessitate healing.

 But even if the show were just about death, it would not be about “sugar coating” death. Death is part of the cycle of life and is inevitable and normal. There’s no question that every person, at some point in their life, must experience death. But different people experience death in different ways, and in accordance with the circumstances of a person’s death. A sudden or violent death, for instance, is generally traumatic.

The death a young person, as well, is also an extremely difficult kind of death for anyone to have to confront. But even in these most difficult of circumstances, healing can and does often take place. That said, I was very pleased to read the remarks of Steven Kaplan in the March 14 issue of the paper, in the editorial titled “Spiritual Peace.”

He points out that different cultures have different views about “life, death and the transition between the two,” and that often, ceremonies that honor and celebrate the life of a deceased person can be very healing for the loved ones left behind.

I also concur with Steven that people should avail themselves of any resources available to them, including physicians, clergy, hospice services and support groups. The point I want to emphasize in this discussion is that there’s no single formula for healing. Everyone grieves and heals uniquely; there is no prescribed time or method. What works for one, may not work for another, but it is imperative that the hard work of grief be done in order to come out of the other end of the tunnel

Some people really do benefit from using the tool of “art” as a way to work through their grief. In fact, two of the artists in the Art Heals art show are artists who suffered a recent personal loss in their lives, and the art they submitted to the show demonstrates the fact that art really can help some people heal.

 In my own personal situation, when my mother died, art was a major factor in my healing. I listened to the music that she liked, read her poetry books and wore her clothes. It took me two years to come out of the tunnel. My journey continues, and I still miss her every day, but I have come to a more peaceful place. Some children, as well, can benefit from working with art as part of their healing process.

If you are a parent or guardian of a child or children who are grieving, I suggest you visit the Hospice of the Gorge Web site, where you can find some wonderful information about how to help children in grief. The address is:

www.hospiceofthegorge.org.

But please, let me emphasize the fact that the Art Heals program is not just about death. In fact, most of the presentations this weekend (March 21 and 22) are not about death, but about healing at various points in life and about our overall community wellbeing. For more information, please visit the Columbia Center for the Arts Web site at:

www.columbiaarts.org.

Thanks so much. I hope to see you this weekend.

n

Mary Zenorini lives in Mt. Hood.

In the end, life matters

By M.J. CALDWELL

Modern American Death Glorification Movement: The expression listed above was featured in an emotionally charged letter on March 11.

I Googled it and the top reply was “God is Dead,” which I thought was amazingly accurate and appropriate given the heartfelt tone of the letter’s prose.

It was obvious to me what the letter was cleverly, and delicately, addressing. And sure enough, like an MSNBC talking points memo, there was a very eloquent reply to the letter on March 14 that missed the mark by so much I thought, as a free-speaking libertarian, I might as well speak up and break open the 200-pound piñata dangling before your readers. You ready?   I think what the letter was implying was: Life still matters. There, I said it; sorry. Young, old, born, unborn, sick, widowed, orphan, rich, poor — we all matter. It’s starting to feel to some of us that the new progressive eugenics movement is seeking to desensitize our children about death so that eventually, almost naturally, euthanasia and abortion will become mundane topics like the merits of Astroturf and the designated hitter.

Then, after a generation or two has finger-painted their way through those taboos, they’ll hardly notice, or object, to the board-certified life and death decisions on medical care that they’ll be forced to receive and graciously accept; should you be lucky enough to be between the ages of one day and say ... oh...what? 30? Like the classic movie “Logan’s Run.“

Do not get me wrong; grief counseling, hospice (truly wonderful, amazing hospice) and all sorts of therapy are very useful and helpful, but in the end, and in the beginning, life matters. There, I said it. Now talk amongst yourselves. Let love rule.

n

M.J. Caldwell lives in Hood River.

 

Don't pretend death is good

By KRISTY SARGENT

Steve Kaplan informs me (letter to the editor, March 14) that the purpose of end of life programs is to prepare individuals for the transition from life to death.

To the contrary, I submit that the real agenda of hospice, “Art Heals,“ “Celebration of Life” (what we used to call a funeral) and other such trends is to prepare the American nation for a transition.

We are transitioning from a nation where traditional views of life, death, and spirituality predominated, to one where anyone not joining the “death is good” bandwagon — and its spiritual concomitants — is patronized, ridiculed, or marginalized.

America has ceased to be a nation of realists with life-affirming ethical and spiritual beliefs and instead has become a nation of pretenders. “Let’s pretend,“ we’ve been told — and deeper into the fog of illusions we go.

Let’s pretend babies aren’t actually alive until they have emerged from the womb.

We aren’t killing babies — we’re bestowing upon women their inalienable right to choose.

Let’s pretend Terri Schiavo was a “vegetable,” despite the fact that she clearly told her attorney she wanted to live upon hearing plans to the contrary. (Attorney: “Just say you want to live, or they will kill you.” Terri, in a voice so loud people rushed into the room:  “I WAAAA!!!!”) Let’s pretend she didn’t suffer while being starved and dehydrated to death, despite a plethora of medical evidence to the contrary. 

Let’s pretend Oregon’s assisted suicide law is functioning solely to benefit terminally ill patients by allowing them to put a time limit on their suffering.

Let’s pretend this is a better solution than training physicians to competently assess and adequately treat the severe pain that sometimes causes these patients to request help in ending their lives prematurely.

Let’s pretend the hospice movement and “Art Heals” are solely about easing the transition from life to death, not about progressive societal normalization of the realities of death.

Let’s pretend death is always and only good — regardless of the circumstances.

Let’s pretend everyone’s soul and spirit is going to end up in the same place when they die — someplace glorious and good, of course.

Envision murderers, rapists, Hitler, your daughter, you — all cavorting together in the same field of flowers, with the sun streaming down and the birds singing.

Let’s pretend what we choose to believe and act upon during our brief sojourn on earth has absolutely no consequences for our eternal destiny. Better yet, let’s pretend we can each invent our own personal spiritual paradigm, so that as long as we remain true to the “reality” we have invented, all will be bliss.

Let’s pretend.

n

Kristy Sargent lives in Hood River.

 

In darkness, art gives handhold to hope

By VIVIAN PAUL

In reference to Kristy Sargent’s “Death hurts” letter and Steve Kaplan’s response of “Spiritual peace” relating to the recent “Art Heals” events in Hood River, this great-grandmother is replying with sadness for those in ongoing and extended grief — from the standpoint of one who has “walked in their shoes.”

Any true light and help in the midst of the darkness and pain of death is truly a ray of strong hope and expression of our Creator’s concern for each.

During the art exhibit, we were pleased to purchase a small oil painting, and will enjoy its beauty as a reminder that our town has a concern for people, and creativity is encouraged and expressed by local talent — along with empathy shown through unusual media.

During our wandering through the new hospital halls on the open house celebration day of March 7, the many pieces and types of creative artwork supplied by locals of various ages quietly and loudly spoke with reminders of hope to clutch beyond immediate circumstances.

Into any life, numerous times of deep sorrow and pain come announced and unannounced. As a Christian, I am reminded often that true light and hope in the midst of deep darkness has been given by Christ’s life in place of and for all people.

May hearts that live in deep pain know of God’s welcoming renewal and relationship and live in hope and real peace.

n

Vivian Paul lives in Hood River