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Was it just a dream ?

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I dreamt last night that I had lost my attaché case with important documents in it including my passport, wallet, and mobile phone. I had no money to pay the taxi. The young driver was kind and understanding. He left me not too far from the square in the city centre where I wanted to go, and I walked up the street the rest of the way.

I don’t know why, but I was wearing my old coat, a very old coat that was worn out, with a big patch on the bottom that was not quite the same colour as the rest of the coat. I walked slowly around the circular square past a row of restaurants and cafés. A young waitress was cleaning in front of a tiny restaurant that opened out onto the footpath. Inside the restaurant, at the back, three older people were busy preparing salads and other dishes.

I noticed a wooden cane object curved at the top leaning against the wall and asked the young waitress if it was hers. She said yes and took it. She looked at me and I told her I had lost my attaché case with everything in it. She took me by the hand and led me into the little restaurant. Her hand was rough and firm. I felt the warmth of her humanity.

There were just a few small tables and chairs and only one client. She took me to the left-hand side of the restaurant and sat me at a small table that was almost completely occupied by a very large vase with a voluminous plant.

She brought me a little wicker bread basket full of bread, and a glass of water. Not a word was spoken.

Shortly after, the head of the restaurant came over to my table and asked me if I wanted anything else. I saw the frank, open look on his face and felt his humanity too.

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Dear Banjo,

Most people do help each other. I don't
think any decent restaurant owner would
turn anyone away that they thought was
desperately in need of a meal. When I
worked for the Department of Human Services
in Melbourne's CBD (not far from Flinders
Street Station and the City Square). I would
often be approached by homeless people asking
for money. I never refused them. I gave what
I could. And if I didn't have anything to spare
I'd tell them I'll be back on pay day to help
them out.

I got to know many of them - and they got to know my
pay day.

cont'd ...

Dear Banjo,

"To leave the world a bit better
Whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or
a redeemed social condition
To know that even one life has breathed better
Because you have lived
This is to have succeeded."

(Ralph Waldo Emerson).

Andris,

I was not part of the discussion you were having.

Also one could talk about this matter in regards to abortion. For example there have been cases where a women has felt her pregnancy was terminated and later found out it wasn't. One person affected by this situation I saw on television, rushed into a hospital (so she was not seen by the media who were filming her) and later said "it was meant to happen", later having a child.

People who have lived (via these situations) have also been interviewed on radio and have said they are not upset with their parents and are happy they are lucky to be alive.

Another issue to consider is voluntary assisted dying (or euthanasia), whatever term you use. Some take life as something that should go on forever, regardless of the impacts on the person in question. So in that context it could be argued some people are also taking life for granted as they are not respecting the rights of free choice in this area by others, when a life is medically put at a basic level, "beyond repair".