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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (July 8, 1993)
Kim stock Death reveals inner humanity The last fifteen years have been an uphill battle for my friend. She fought an endless string of heart attacks, cancer and triple bypass surgeries. Each time she conquered the problem and came out successful. But, that was the way people saw her — as a winner. In late May, my friend had to go into the hospital for what doctors cal led “a routine surgery." That was nothing to fear because she had seen many “routine surgeries" and we all had faith that she would come out of her hospital stay again a winner. But it was almost as if there was a plan God had in mind for her that was greater than any of us could under stand. Routine turned into complica tions and a relatively safe fifth floor hospital room turned into a rush over to Lincoln General’s Intensive Care Unit. For over a month, I watched my friend’s body deteriorate until the point when I could hardly recognize her. She no longer looked like the woman that I ’d debate topics with and feel warm inside because she smiled at me. Having numerous tubes run ning through her throat and body, and being so drugged that she couldn’t sec or hear us, my friend looked more like someone who was wrestling with an angel for her life. Last Tuesdaynight, the angel m ust have convinced her it was time for her to leave. That decision marked the end of my friend’s suffering and the beginning of a long road of grief for those who cared about her. But, what I want to write is not about the pain of death, but the strength of those who survive. There’s nothing more beautiful than the feeling when It’s when people are able to break free from their egos and inhibi tionsand bend their backs so others can lean on their shoul ders, is when we understand what it means to be human. people pull together and support each other. It’s when people arc able to break free from their egos and inhibi tions, and bend their backs so others can lean on their shoulders, is when we understand what it means to be human. For that emotional month, people came to join in a tiny wailing room to give warmth and to feel the warmth of others. At times, the nurses would come and scold us because our laugh ter echoed throughout the hallways. I couldn’t believe how much people could accomplish when they pulled together,. Something special happened in that waiting room that is hard to describe. Friendships were made among the different families, and bonds were made stronger. When we knew my friend had died, we still joined our hands in a circle and prayed. £vcn then, we knew it was not time to abandon the hope that had helped us remain strong. Yes, sometimes from times of trag edy people are able to grow. The first time I learned this was when I was a sophomore in high school. Within a week, two students commit ted suicide, marking the second and third that year. This came as a great shock to us and it felt as if someone had taken a knife and slashed away our innocence. Youth and death had united and this was beyond our com prehension. But, after the tears were shed and the pain had healed a little, we were again able to feel free and laugh. Despite what we feltat the time of this occurrence, nothing could destroy our laughter. And, to those people who find this to be loo drippy and sentimental, all I have to say is, open up your hearts and allow yourself to feel emotion. It’s OK to be human. The funeral formy friend was Tues day, and I wasn’ t sure how easy it was going to be. But, every person that supported her, supported each other and was there with open aims. One of my favorite quotes is from Albert Camus and says, “In the midst of winter, I found an invincible sum mer in me.” That quote has always made me feel belter when limes have been hard m my life. In this past month, because of the help of those around me, I have no doubt that sum mer is around the comer waiting. ' W ’ - . '■ :i '' Stock is a sophomore secondary educa tion English major and a Summer Daily Ne braskan columnist. WWW 1)()KS l \L I 111 \ K ? What do you think about the recent events in the Roger Bjorklund case? “He’s trying to give the public the perception through all this maneuver ing that he is innocent He’s taking the emphasis off of himself and onto the process.” Lance LaRuc Senior Agriculture Business “He shouldn’t be able to pick a jury. I don’t think it is right The people in Lincoln were all affected, so the jury should be from Lincoln. I don’t think there’s anyone in Lincoln that thinks too highly of him.” Scott Schrocder Junior Biology “It’s noldifferent from any other court process, it just takes a long time. It’s pretty obvious there is a serious flaw in the court system, but nobody really has the power to change it.” Tim Timmermas Senior Business Administration — Compiled by Carma Loontjer The Daily Nebraskan wants to hear from you. If you want to voice your opinion about an article thatappears in the newspaper, let us know. Just write a brief letter to the editor and sign it (don’t forget your student ID number) and mail it to the Daily Nebraskan, 34 Nebraska Union, 1400 ‘R’ Street, . Lincoln, NE 68588-0448, or stop by the office in the basement of the ^ Nebraska Union and visit with us. We’re all cars. Tub cue of yout s*L it shows yout srylf! IMwriry HuM Cum DmuI Office fhk 4 U 011472749$ to sdeUk you SUMMER /^pdNmeNT. August Graduation Personalized Graduation Announcements (includes your name and degree) $28.00 package off 20 </ mlim ■ __‘ qg--..<* jctySrjuu y(/mA44dCmy k ^njrr/^Tl -f 4~l~l^ AwmJtoJ mmJ m*m4y Sitm 3*30 0 JkA $U 9Lmmy StyImA C&*JU Bachelor Gown, Cap & Tassle $14.95 lie return needed. Save your cap and gown as a keepsake. Big Red Department Mon • Sat: 9-6 Sun: Noon - 5 Sat: till 8 NEBR4SK4 BOOKSTORE 13th &Q 476-0111 Aviation is more than flying around ... the slcy is the limit. Interested in Aviation careers? To find out more, enroll in Intro to Aviation. ANV1000 3 Credits T/TH 3.00 p.m.-4:15 pjn. Learn to fly without leaving the ground, enroll in private pilot theory. ANV 1020 3 Credits T/TH 500 p.m;>.6:40 pjn. To pre-register for these two classes, offered at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, call the University of Nebraska at Omaha Aviation Institute toll-free. 1-800-858-8648 or 402-554-3424 University of Nebraska at Omaha The University o» Nebraska at Omaha doe* not discriminate tn Its academic, employment ct admissions policies and abides by al ted oral, state and regental regulations pertaining to same.