A response in avoidance of the Daily Post’s Writing Prompt https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/unseen/

Well, I guess not that different, but I wanted to start by sharing something I read (online) in our local paper yesterday morning before I went to work.

The article is called “Dying words: North Saanich woman’s appointment with death”, and is at http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/dying-words-north-saanich-woman-s-appointment-with-death-1.7235690

Now, I didn’t know Noreen Campbell very well.  I worked with her for a couple of years when I worked at the University of Victoria.  My friend, and then colleague (with whom I shared an office) Judy, and I were instructional designer and media developer to Noreen’s Subject Matter Expert role in the development of 2 courses on Wound Management.  What I remember most is that, while there were days when she drove us crazy (and I’m sure we drove her crazy too), Noreen was an up-front (blunt at times) person who we could have fun and great conversations with, and obviously a extremely knowledgeable nurse who cared very deeply about her patients and their suffering.  I am not going to make this a eulogy here, I just wanted to say that I liked and respected Noreen greatly, and was sad when she became ill shortly before I left the University of Victoria.

And then yesterday I read the article I linked to above, and was sad, yes, but also happy because Noreen left this life as she lived – her way – while at the same time giving her time and voice to the rights of patients to choose their end of life, not just for herself, but for everyone.  The world has lost a very special person and I am glad I got to know here, even a little.

And now, here is a picture of a kitty, because that’s what I do…