I would rather die alone.

I don't mind being a care-giver. I could adjust to the role. As I have in the past. For my dear Jeanne. But I would never have wanted a role reversal. Where I would have needed the care. Instead, I would have wanted Jeanne to put me away. Really, to ignore me. And to get on with the rest of her life. Maybe that seems strange. But that's my idea of love. I want to love. But I don't want to be loved to the detriment of the one I love. And that's what I figure it would be. If I had Alzheimer's, for instance. A detriment to the one that had to care for me. I'd rather it be a paid professional. In a nursing home. And I'd even discourage my loved one to come visit me. Because if she really loved me, that would be an excruciating experience. For her. And I wouldn't want that. I would rather die alone. That would be easier on everyone. Even for me. --Jim Broede