Nostalgia; When Denial is the Only Weapon

Over a lifetime, I have become somewhat a specialist in "Denial." When I worked in a health care setting years ago, I picked up a book on Death and Dying and reviewed the four stages of loss----denial, anger, bargaining, and finally acceptance. The problem was, of course, those of us in a health setting rarely saw anything but the first two stages. And I came to a simple amazement of the power of denial in grief, loss, and in a lot of areas of life.

Denial gives me the power to run or bike and pretend that I am 18. Too much awareness of the total risks of life would be too much. A little denial is good. Anything is still possible. Without a little blocking, enthusiasm might be somewhat difficult.

Two other great weapons are blame and resentment. Whenever there is change, count on those two emotions.

This coming week is the week of graduation. It is also a time of huge risk of death on the highway. I hope we as a community, beginning with parents and teens, can pledge not to drink and drive.

Now is the time for responsibiity, not blame. It is the time to see and not be blind to what is clearly before us.