Weather or Not

February 13, 2025

Everyone has their favorite weather. Some people like sunny, breezy days. They like being able to walk to their car without having to add layers or get drenched. They enjoy looking outside and seeing a blue sky. They do not like muddy puddles and soggy packages. I like to call these people, “ people who are right”.

So imagine my surprise when, after a dreary, dreadful run of three rainy days in a row, that my friend said she loves rainy weather! She likes listening to it drum on the windows. She likes wearing warm, snuggly clothing and drinking a hot drink. She even likes jumping in puddles. To her, sunny days are too hot and bright. I disagreed with her entirely, but her opinion wasn’t wrong–it was her opinion. She had her reasons, and that’s good enough.

When picking a healthcare power of attorney, many people believe certain treatments are the “right choice.” Some people think therapy should always be pursued over surgery. Some loathe the idea of taking medicine all their life. Some people even prefer to forego treatment and allow themselves to pass away peacefully. None of these opinions are “wrong.” These are just peoples’ opinions. They have their reasons, and that should be good enough.

It is absolutely critical when picking a healthcare power of attorney that you find someone who respects your opinions on healthcare, as they will be calling the shots when you can no longer do so. The last thing you want is for your stated wishes to be overridden by an overzealous child or relative, potentially sparking drama with relatives who disagree with their choices. It’s a good idea to talk to the person you want to pick before you appoint them and be sure they understand exactly what you want. Otherwise, that person may cause some unintentional storms at a time that is already rough for those you love.