I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Mine was great. Lots of happy noise, full bellies and family closeness. Of course, it’ll be a lot better when someone (hint, hint, Lukas) cleans up their share of the dishes.

Before reading the first part of our Euthanasia series, check out this hilarious video my daughter, Kristina, made with her husband, Houston (a.k.a. HB.)

Kim: Hello, again. We’re back.

Me: We are back! Hello, Erik! Hello, Kim!

Erik (cupping his hands around his mouth): Hello, Mom.

Kim (laughing): He’s being goofy!

Me: He’s always goofy. Last topic for today: euthanasia. A lot of people have asked about that. Give me your thoughts. I don’t have any particular questions so I’ll give you the floor. You got the mic.

Erik: Earlier we were talking about being self-directed.

Me: Yeah, I see how that plays a part.

Erik: Knowing how to be self-directed, Mom, and listening to that, being responsive to that—

Kim: Ooo, he’s going to get really deep on this, and he’s getting into a bigger subject.

Me: Wow. Okay. It’s already a big subject!

Kim: Yeah. He has his eyebrows up and this really humble, boyish look on his face, like really innocent.

Erik: People are afraid of death. It’s not just a fear of death. Some people have a fear of God. That’s why you see euthanasia as something that’s whispered about. Euthanasia is about being self-directed. Some people will completely not understand or relate to it. If this is something you want for yourself, for example, knowing that you’re in Stage Whatever cancer and it’s going to be a terrible ride, take that internal self-direction and make the decision for yourself. A lot of times when people make this choice, it is a connection to their Higher Self because they want to leave with a good experience.

Kim (nervously): He’s getting real direct here. This is hard to translate because people are going to have their opinions.

She chuckles.

Erik: All right. I’m going to talk out of both sides of my mouth for a minute. What good will it do you—and by the way, it’s not that I’m for or against euthanasia—I’m just trying to explain to you the purpose. What good would it do for you to have a negative experience if your health is failing and will continue to fail? On the other hand, negativity gives value to a positive experience. If everything was all positive all the time, how are you even going to know the value of that positive.

Me: You need that contrast.

Erik: Yeah, but you don’t have to have a negative experience to know positive. (squinting) You see where I’m going with this? First of all, you have to have heart for people who want this for themselves instead of criticizing them, “Why would they do that? That’s so outrageous!” These people have a higher sense of knowing what’s best for them and their path. Euthanasia, in general, Mom—newsflash—it’s not something that’s frowned upon here. It’s just an experience. That might seem harsh to some people, but it’s not like, “Oh, that’s a sin. You’re going to be punished for that when you come Home.” It’s an experience.

Kim covers her face in shock and nervousness.

Me: Uh oh. He’s got Kim in the hot seat!

Kim: Yeah! Listen, I can’t sugarcoat it because it’s Erik, and it would be untrue.

Erik: It’s just another way to die. Sorry if that sounds harsh, people, but it’s true.

Me: Well, I can understand it in people whose bodies are wracked with cancer who are in pain but what about people who are just spiritually or mentally depressed, and they want to be euthanized? You have to consider how many people it touches and hurts: the family members and friends, leaving behind children, etc.

Erik: That’s true because if euthanasia was legal everywhere and it was just something you could request and have done, I promise the population would be cut way down!

Me: You could have drive-thrus like they have drive-thru wedding chapels in Vegas. Drive-thru euthanasia places.

Erik: Yeah.

Me: Just kidding.

I thought we needed a little comic relief.

Erik: It’s scary to think how many people would use that, especially if they had a rough day at work, “I’m just going to end it and have this done.”

Me: Yeah, it could be an impulse thing!

Erik: Yeah, exactly. It certainly would affect others, Mom. You talk all the time about the collateral damage from my death.

Me (sadly): Mm.

Erik: But to a point, you have to recognize attachments, too. If you want my personal opinion, I’m against having easy access to euthanasia because there’s value in struggle! There’s value in hard times, in hard lives. There really is, but people don’t want to feel that. They don’t feel anything unless it feels good. But how do you even know what good is unless you’ve experienced the opposite? I know. Don’t call me a hypocrite. Life can be hard and challenging no matter what you’re going through.

Me: But that’s what we’re here for. That’s the human experience.

Erik: Yeah, and sometimes if you’re willing to stick it out through the hard times, you’ll come out in the end into a more beautiful existence. With the impulsivity that people do have—and they’re so much more impulsive now so they don’t think; they just do; they don’t feel; they just do—if euthanasia was easily accessible, the universe, as a whole, would have a lower vibration because of the emotions connected to it. I’m talking about the collateral damage. There are some cases where it should be a second guess; you shouldn’t have to think twice like with people who are facing a horrible future because of their health. Hopefully, the family of these people who are in that deep struggle with their health—and that doesn’t just mean physical. I’m including mental health, too—hopefully the families would also want their suffering to end even if by euthanasia.

Stay tuned for Part Two Monday!