Jon22: The Website of Jonathan Dobres

This is the problem with running my site the way I do.  One day I’m reviewing Spider-man 2, the next day I’m talking about controversial medical issues.  The transitions can be awkward.  There’s a very interesting conversation brewing in the comments of yesterday’s post, and I find myself incapable of switching gears to anything lighter (though American Idol continues to surprise no one this year).  So I thought I would excerpt something that Allison wrote yesterday.  I found it quite enlightening (and Allison, if you’re not comfortable with this, just let me know).

Regarding the term “pillow angel:” I don’t like this any more than anyone else. It makes Ashley sound inhuman, like she’s already dead or a stuffed animal. But at the same time, the sprituality of the family’s connection with Ashley is one I can relate to. I often refer to Devon as my angel and believe that her spirit is more pure, more innocent. In touching her certain ways, I feel even more connected to her. I don’t consider this ignoring reality or a lack of spiritual depth. Much the opposite in fact: I have faced my sister’s mortality, visited her on what was supposed to be her death bed. She survived, not just because of medicine, but because her body refused to give up. I don’t consider her a holy angel or protector, nor do I think she has God personally at her back. But she is an angel to me because she is pure (i.e., untouched by society’s ills) and I am guided by her (to live a responsible life, to know how to love unconditionally, to see people and situations–and accepting them–for what they are). In other words, she enlightens me (though I am far from enlightened).