Life, Politics, and Mortality: What Truly Matters

It was a fairly calm day at work, and I had a patient under my care whose dance with mortality was growing more intense by the hour. On my way out of the patient room, the TV flashed news about the two leading presidential candidates in the U.S. that is Mr. Trump and Ms. Harris, were both headed to Pittsburgh, PA, for the final leg of their campaigns. Man, at this point, we’re all weary and exhausted of the ads, the fear, the attacks, the noise of it all. But the end is almost in sight. By midnight tomorrow, November 5th, it will all finally be behind us, and I think most of us just can't wait for that.

But as I left this patient in silence, I couldn’t help but wonder: what does all of this political spectacle these past few months mean to a dying person who, according to medical science, will depart this world in flesh soon? What does the outcome, the new president, the promises of policy shifts even mean when one is so close to their final days? I’m sure this person won’t be able to vote tomorrow, not even the mail-in ballot. I imagine this individual’s only concern now would be the world that would be left behind, the world that their loved ones will inherit.

And that brings me to a much larger reflection: without life, none of this: the left, the right, and or the center of the political divide would truly matter. All the noise would fade, and what we’re left with are the real things: love, kindness, and the legacy of our being, things that are at the center of our very being and that which we choose to create. Moments like these also remind me that our time here on earth is very brief, and the most precious thing we have is life itself.

If you have been following this blog, you know by now that I like to share more than just my reflections, but these reflections I share, I do so with the hope that they might add something to your day or to gently remind you of what’s truly important. You don’t have to see the world exactly as I do, but maybe, only maybe, a moment of reflection can help all of us refocus our attentions on what truly matters. 

I remain your Pal,  

Ronnie Law