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I grew up on opera. I'm now 58. My mother was 'deaf' - had 8% hearing in one ear, none in the other. But opera rang throughout our home - and my father did 'his duty' by attending performances with her once a year!

I lived with my mother for the last 2 years of her life - and my appreciation grew because pavarotti filled the house at night from her bedroom - and various Met dvd's played throughout the day as she sat on the porch, rocked, needlepointed and was transported. "Opera New" arrived every month - and she couldn't wait!

I watched the Pavarotti special Sunday night - and was sweetly transported to wonderful memories of my mother. When he died last year, we received so many emails from friends/relatives who noted his passing because of my mother.

I cannot imagine a world without opera - i know the stories are 'silly' by today's standards - but fortunately, the music is the point.

I heartedly support younger generations being exposed - I know that my nieces/nephews (now in their late teens/early 20s) will always think of their grandmother when they hear opera.

cynthia griffin
portland

posted 4 years, 7 months ago
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I am an adult child who returned home to live with and care for my mother for two years. She live for 2 years after cancer diagnosis and surgery. In March of 2006, after learning her cancer had spread, she opted for no additional treatment and she received Hospice through April and early May before dying. Medicare paid for it.

Hospice was a godsend - both for her as she was dying and for me as the only person in the house with her. Her nurse and bather became friends and comforters to a very, very strong woman used to being in charge.

And most importantly, Hospice helped grant her two wishes - to die at home and to keep pain under control. My brothers, sisters and I are so grateful.

As the only caregiver, with demanding but non-present siblings, nurse Shirley became my lifeline also, so I could attend my mother as best possible.

That said, our family could have afforded to pay for this care - and I support means testing the ability to have Medicare-paid hospice. My parents would agree with this - they believed they were privileged to live in that generation which reaped the rewards of social security, medicare, etc and that because they could pay, they should so others who couldn't pay would hae the benefit, and more importantly, they would not rob the resources available to their children and grandchildren. THey worried that we would not have the benefits they had, given the state of things.

Cynthia Griffin

posted 4 years, 9 months ago
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I can only see 2 comments. Is that all there are now? cincha

posted 5 years, 3 months ago
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