Why Terri Schiavo's death was personal to me

And why the Holy Father's death was an affirmation of the value of human life
 is the subject of my article at Patheos.

It's Terri's Day

from the Terri Shindler Schiavo Foundation

"Four years ago today, by the order of Judge George W. Greer, Terri Schiavo died a slow barbaric death by starvation and dehydration over a period of almost two weeks.We must never forget what happened to Terri and the horrible way she was killed.

However, just as important is to remember that what happened to Terri is occurring every day in our nation. Moreover, in this very moment countless people are suffering slow, agonizing deaths in hospice, nursing homes, and hospitals in America and around the world."

It struck me four years ago, as we were suffering her agony with her, that it was appropriate that she suffered the most during Holy Week, and died just after Easter, only four days ahead of Pope John Paul. The treatment witheld from a healthy though disabled Terri and treatment given to a dying John Paul (stomach feeding tube) was exactly the same. I almost suspect that the Holy Father accepted the feeding tube as a message to the world. Since he was in his dying days, he was NOT obligated to accept a feeding tube since it's use might be more harm than good, but he wanted to become an example of death with dignity that Terri was denied.

Mrs Schindler found a note from her daughter Terri Schiavo

"The note, in the loose form of a poem or greeting card, appears to validate the argument that Terri's valued the moral teachings of her pro-life, Catholic parents.
"Today I shall begin a life of my own just as you did some years ago;
With me shall go the values you taught the caring you've shown,
the love that has grown; and the meaning in a home.
And if when I have a child as you did
it will be given the same love and understanding
that was given to me."
Schindler told LifeNews.com, "It comforts us to know that Terri embraced the values my parents taught us as children - the importance of faith, family and unconditional love."

Read the rest of the story here.

HT Life News. com

This is a tender reminder that Terri had not strayed from her parents' pro-life morals, and would have wanted to live, despite the monstrous selfishness of her husband who wanted her dead.

I had a similar experience, when going through some papers on the eve of my Grandma's funeral. All the members of my family had someone in their bedroom that night but me; my parents, my cousins, my aunt and uncle, and my brothers; I was the only one spending the night alone with my thoughts. But of course, I wasn't alone.

But God allowed me to come accross a letter written by Grandma, from exactly the same date, several years before which read, "I love you, I miss you, I am thinking of you, and I am praying for you." And I knew, that, despite the age of the letter, it was true. Grandma was doing all these things for me, at that moment, whether from Purgatory or Heaven.

What a consolation that letter was for me. I understand, Mrs. Schindler.

Never forget the tragedy of Terri Schiavo.