Sincere concern and real affection for all

Kay Rivera’s column, “Irretrievable losses” (Opinion, 10/28/16) was a great read. Rivera’s insightful and poignant account of her own grief when her mother passed away unexpectedly led to this conclusion: “Maybe it’s time to accept that our degree did not come with qualifications to teach people about loving and losing—and that maybe, in this one area, the patients and their families might teach ‘us’ a thing or two.”

Doctors have an important role in caring for the terminally ill, but the family plays a crucial role in helping the sick person live out his remaining days with joy, love, affection and dignity.

This brings to mind Mother Teresa’s mission of helping the poor people die with dignity, surrounded not just by cold “charity” but by real affection. May we all learn to treat not just the dying, but everyone, with sincere concern and attention.

STEPHANIE C. OLIVARES, [email protected]