That is such a heart breaking image- and damn it, if it wasn't the hook that made me stay. I lost my father, and my best friend of 30 years, this year... Not that it gives me insight into your situation or grief. I do remember being seriously mad with the doctors, who refused to give my friend a time line- he had the worst kind of brain cancer, dead center of his brain right off the stem... he had aphasia before the biopsy, but after it was worse and he was paralyzed. He progressively got worse over 6 months. He knew what we were saying, but couldn't respond to save his life. Interestingly, he could drop an appropriate F-bomb.

He chose to fight. His wife and I and friends and family supported that. given the type of cancer, we were praying for a hail mary, but I was thinking they could have comped his medical care... The cost is not a burden his family should have bared, on top of the loss. Comped, or been more straight up on the timeline...

The government didn't deny his 'disability.' It was approved and he would get his first check 6 months after the medical diagnosis. He died precisely in 6 months after the diagnosis, so didn't get any financial relief... All of which would have just gone straight to his care... It's like the delay is purposely built in knowing that people will die so the government doesn't pay out- and mind you, he started work in high school and worked his entire adult life... kind of his money?

I am fortunate to have some close friends. I am still grieving. I do hope you have your people, and that you find relief through your writing. I find writing to be immensely therapeutic. I am glad you shared.

Travel Light.