Thinking Out Loud, Volume CCCLXX

I know my family loves me, so this request is not directed at any of them, other than to make them aware of my situation and to ask them to be vigilant as they observe those who will be caring for me if I ever reach the point in life where I cannot take care of myself. There's a part of me that I cannot live without, and if it's taken from me, I'm a goner. Sure, I'm enough of a realist to realize that a portion of it will have to be removed, and that I can handle, but if I lose all of it, I won't make it. Actually, I have several "vital" organs, but I'm referring to something a little more intangible. On a more positive note, a person would have to work extremely hard to take it all away. I'm talking about my dignity. Throughout history, there have been some evil individuals who have figured out how extremely important a person's dignity is to his well-being, and they have devised some wicked schemes to try to take it away. I read about one American airman who ended up in a Japanese POW camp during World War II, and the only privy in his cell was a hole in the floor, creating a stench that was almost unbearable. He had to sleep on the floor, and when he slept, he would move to the part of the room that was farthest away from the privy, until his guard figured out what he was doing. He was then severely beaten and forced to sleep with his head right next to the privy from then on. I also read about some of the Jews who were rounded up by Nazi Germany who had to remove all the grass from the cracks in the sidewalk...with their teeth. Many of them were stripped completely naked and herded onto a train in box cars or cattle cars; men, women, and children of all ages mixed together. The evil men who perpetrated those horrible acts knew that the best way to break a person's will is to rob him of his dignity. The definition of dignity is "self respect or a feeling of self worth." When that's gone, there's nothing left. I believe it is a natural reflex of any human to desperately cling to that last shred of dignity until he takes his last breath. I don't think I know anyone who would purposely attempt to steal an elderly person's dignity, but I've met some who may have a tendency to go about the mechanics of their job without stopping to consider how vital a person's dignity is to their survival. On the other hand, I also believe that there are many people who feel that it is their calling to help care for the helpless. I thank God for them. I'm thankful for the lady that cared for and loved (Yes, I said "loved.") my mom during her final days. I pray that God reserves a special blessing for every individual who has dedicated his/her life to care for those who can't care for themselves. Chances are, either I, my spouse, or some other family member will one day need that type of care, and when that day comes, I pray that we will be cared for by one of these "angels on earth" who lives by the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Preston