Dying Young

Written May 27, 2005

After work I went straight to bed at around 9am. For some weird reason I woke up after just 2 hours of sleep. Since I couldnt force myself to doze off again, I decided to turn the tv on. And voila--Dying Young was showing on Star Movies.

I can remember the first time I saw this film back in 1991. I think I was in first year high then. Fine, Im ancient. But seriously, this movie brought back a lot of sad memories.

During that time, my Mom was diagnosed with bone cancer. I couldnt help but remember all the pain that Mommy had to go through. There were times that she was in so much agony that she literally begged us to end it swiftly, but there was nothing we can do. Euthanasia's not legal and I dont think it'll ever be in a backward society such as ours. It was tough for a 14-year old kid to witness someone in that kind of state. Let alone she was his own mother. But even back then, I knew that chances for recovery were slim. She was not going to be cured and the only way to help her was to speed up the process. But did it end quickly? Hell no. She had to live with it and rot slowly for 2 long years. Together with her dying state, we were getting dragged. We were losing all hope even after trying all sorts of medication. From western therapies to oriental needles, from nightly rosaries to faith healers. Nothing helped. Not even the government.

Until now I still dont understand why people had to go through so much and not having the right to end their lives when they will it. Yes, it may not be morally right to take your own life. But what are morals anyway? It is just simply dictated by the norms of the society. It is relative. I'd rather be immoral to the eyes of many than be heartless and let someone suffer before my very eyes. Just a little two cents from the 14-year old kid who was left with no choice but to be merciless.