In the afterglow of the sunrise, a cherry blossom in 1966 bloomed quietly in Japan, and she was named Mina Kojima. As a child, she was like a faint watercolor painting, colorful but revealing a hint of sadness—the misfortune of her family cast a shadow on her young mind. The divorce of her parents left Mina and her sister dependent on each other, and their attachment to each other made up for the lack of affection.
After growing up, Mui Ne continued her education at a university in Seoul, South Korea, and eventually became a translator, and her career seemed bright. However, the cruelty of life did not leave her. Love, which should be the most beautiful spice in life, has never settled in her life. The loneliness in her heart was exacerbated by the days she was alone, but she never gave up, independent and resilient.
But on the other hand, fate once again hammered mercilessly, and the 40-year-old Mui Ne was diagnosed with multiple system atrophy, a progressive degenerative disease of the nervous system, and the prognosis given by doctors was brutal - the countdown to life has begun, and the longest will not exceed 10 years. Work became an unbearable burden for her, so she chose to work in a welfare home, hoping to bring warmth to others in her limited time.
As time passed, the shadow of illness loomed over her, and Mui Na's health deteriorated. Life is gradually stripped of color, and the vitality and enthusiasm of the past are swallowed up little by little by the disease. After deep thinking and intense psychological struggle, Mui Ne made a decision - euthanasia. She decided to say goodbye to this world with dignity when she was conscious and could still make a choice.
In March 2018, just after the breath of spring had just awakened, Mui Ne embarked on a journey to Switzerland, where she ended her life in the company of her sister. She pressed the switch on euthanasia, and it took only four minutes from sobriety to death. In this short period of time, Mina's life is like an elegy that is about to end, and her last words are a tribute to life and a final farewell to those who love her and those she loves.
"Thank you, I love you. 」
These short and affectionate words, like the last drop of rain and dew on a spring day, slid down the petals, making everyone present feel a mixture of joy and sorrow. It is a gratitude for life, a reluctance to the past, and a promise for the future that she will continue to guard those who love her in another world.
Euthanasia, a topic that is still controversial in many cultures and legal systems, touches the boundaries of the dignity of life, the right of individual choice, and ethics. For patients like Mina Kojima, in the face of the irreversible decay of life, choosing euthanasia may be a relief from unbearable pain and a kind of last respect for life.
Behind this choice is a deep reflection on the meaning of life. Regardless of the individual's position on this issue, others should be given respect for their choices, and society should pay more attention to those at the end of their lives and provide them with more support and help. This includes providing quality end-of-life care, helping them alleviate their suffering, as well as providing psychological and emotional comfort.
Mina Kojima's story is a narrative of life, sickness, and choice, and it makes us think again about how we face the last moments of life and how we can give dignity and love to those at the end of life's journey. This is a topic that we will all face, and in the discussion and reflection, we may find more understanding of life and the brilliance of humanity.