“They’re going to pull the plug tonight or tomorrow.”

Death is easier on the dying than on the survivors.  To suggest that one can unplug a life, like a coffee machine, is something you hear more often before a death than after. 

In the workplace, co-workers rarely seem to die while actually co-workers. More often, co-workers die after they leave the job, retire, etc.  This is different.

I’m in a lot of pain right now not because of work, but because a co-worker is dying.  She’s in an induced coma.  She collapsed to three aneurisms during a meeting at work.  It was like most meetings; Stupid.  And, I’m angry that her last moments of life may have been listening to some of the idiots we employ.

She is a true spirit of love and positive energy.  Was.  And, her family is gathering to spend the final hours with her.  And she is unconscious.

Sometimes companies “pull the plug” on an operating area, or a product, or a section of employees and that’s sad too, but not like this.  This is way different. This is a person, though, unconscious; her husband next to her, her extended family a few feet away.

She’s in a surgical garb on her back.  Under sheets with little cover because she really can’t feel anything so she isn’t cold; yet.  Her brain has inflated and all efforts to relieve this have failed.  She didn’t fall or get bit by an insect.  She did party when she partied, but not to excess because she had to drive her husband home.  

She spent years supporting others with this amazing smile and funny little jig of a walk.  Her gravelly voice offered hope to everyone who heard it.  Her laugh could care farm animals into running, but could warm the chill off any challenge.

“They’re going to pull the plug tonight or tomorrow.”