Being Mortal

The most powerful book I read this year was a book assigned to me for biology called Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande. Much of the book is centered on end of life care and how many go about addressing mortality. In what I believe to be the most emotional section, the author discusses the importance of understanding what a loved one looks for in the end of life, and making sure the family is aware. The story Gawande uses as an example is of a doctor and her father, who is about to undergo a serious medical procedure. Despite it being hard for her, she asks her father what he considers a good day to look like. His answer is “As long as I can watch a football game, and eat chocolate ice cream, I think I would be able to manage.” This conversation was incredible important because during the procedure complications did arise, and this information allowed the decision making power to be in the hands of her father.

This passage made me think about what I would want most in my old age. While most of what I want revolves around autonomy, what I think I would not be able to live without would be the outdoors. I wrote about my experiences walking in previous journal, and I feel that nature is something that is integral in my life. From walking to the river, to class meeting on the Nolan Trail, I’ve been very lucky this semester to be able to maintain that piece in my life.