Whether it’s online or on hard copy, find a way to access an opinion column in last Sunday’s (July 10) New York Times titled “The Good Short Life.” It’s by–as well as about–Dudley Clendinen, who grew up in Tampa. The Plant High grad, 66, is the son of the late James Clendinen, former editorial board chairman of the Tampa Tribune. He’s an author and an ex-newspaper reporter and columnist–from the St. Petersburg Times to the New York Times.
And he’s dying. On schedule. Fate courtesy of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was diagnosed in May 2010. He likely won’t see May 2012.
He’s handling it with urbane dignity. He wants to depart when quality departs from his life. No artificial life support for him. He’s made his plans and his peace. And he savors what he has left.
“I don’t worry about fatty foods anymore,” he notes with benign gallows humor. “I don’t worry about not having enough money to grow old. I’m not going to grow old. I’m having a wonderful time.
“When the music stops–when I can’t tie my bow tie, tell a funny story, walk my dog, talk with (30-year-old daughter) Whitney, kiss someone special, or tap out lines like this–I’ll know that Life is over.
“It’s time to be gone.”
It should be required reading for every mortal.