When the time comes.

I’m all right. As long as I am healthy enough. Mentally and physically. To take care of myself. When the day comes, when I can’t. Well, then face it. It’ll be time for a decision. Whether or not I want to continue living. I have options.  I can choose to die. Or I can live on. It’s that simple. If I choose to live on, I have the means. Everything from dwindling property assets to a lifetime pension and social security. Perhaps enough to pay for assisted living. Even without public assistance.  For a while, at least. Yes, I probably can get by. On my own. One way or another. While retaining some degree of independence. Allowing me to savor what time I have left. In practical and self-sustaining ways. Writing. Reading. Enjoying the physical and mental pleasures of remaining alive. In reasonable and acceptable functional ways. If I become totally incapacitated, and unable to support myself, I’d be better off choosing to die. Yes, it’d be time to check out. After having lived an idyllic life as a romantic idealist, a spiritual free-thinker, a political liberal, a writer, a lover, a dreamer. –Jim Broede