What is it like to live too long? A 104-year-old scientist, accompanied by his family, traveled to Switzerland to seek euthanasia. Within 30 seconds of his euthanasia, he suddenly opened his eyes and said something that made everyone present cry and laugh.
(All of the content stated in this article is based on reliable sources, and is repeated at the end of the article)
On an ordinary street in London, England, David's birth undoubtedly brought laughter to his family. His parents put a lot of effort into his education, providing a wealth of books on nature and stimulating his intense curiosity about this unknown world.
David's father was a botanist, so the home was filled with exotic plants and specimens, which became his childhood playmates and set the stage for his later career.
Over time, David's love for nature grew, and he became obsessed with exploring the morphological characteristics of various plant forms. Every weekend, David would go out into the woods alone with a magnifying glass and notebook to take a closer look at every leaf and flower.
He also recorded their characteristics with childish brushstrokes, and this passion for science made his parents proud, but also the envy of his peers.
With this passion, David was admitted to the Department of Biology at the University of Cambridge and continued to pursue his dreams. He met Isaac, the unforgettable mentor of his life, who warmed his heart and made him more determined to devote himself to the field of botany.
While in college, David first discovered the unique growth pattern of ivy, and this unique insight into biological phenomena earned him industry acclaim leading to the publication of his first research paper.
Since then, he has gained a deeper understanding of the mysteries of plants and established himself as a foundation in the scientific community. And just as the world was shrouded in the smoke of World War II, David's life path was also faced with a choice.
Whether to devote himself to the battlefield to serve the motherland, or continue to conduct in-depth research in the field of scientific research, this made David feel confused for a while. Luckily, his mentor gave him valuable advice and encouraged him to devote himself to scientific research.
Following the advice of his teacher, David made up his mind to become a lifelong researcher. After the war, David gradually became a well-known botanist, and his research in the fields of plant taxonomy, ecology and evolution attracted widespread attention.
In order to provide a more stable living condition for his children, he immigrated to Australia with his wife. There, David became a professor of botany at a well-known university.
He has led students to explore the natural environment of mainland Australia, accumulated a large number of field research materials, and published a large number of high-level academic papers. Despite his career success, David's family life was rocky.
He is so focused on his work that he often ignores the feelings of his wife and children, which leads to tension in the parent-child relationship. After three consecutive marriages, he felt a deep sense of loneliness and loss, and the loss of his children made him feel painful.
Time flies like a white horse, and in the blink of an eye, David has entered his old age. Life in retirement was not what he wanted, and the once energetic scientist now had to deal with physical weakness and mobility problems.
On a cold winter night, something unfortunate happened, David accidentally fell down the stairs, causing a serious leg injury, and since then he has bid farewell to his normal walking life and can only use a wheelchair to survive.
This sudden turn of events hit David hard, and he gradually felt that his life had lost its luster. Faced with empty rooms and cold walls every day, he began to question the meaning of life.
At this time, the frequent abuse of the elderly in society attracted his attention, and the image of these poor old people suffering both physical and mental torture at the end of their lives deeply stimulated his soul.
After much deliberation, David made a request for euthanasia to his family. He hopes to complete the last journey of his life with dignity while he still has the ability to make rational and healthy decisions.
At first, his family expressed strong opposition to his idea, but after seeing his inner pain and desire for quality of life, they chose to understand and respect his choice.
Accompanied by his children, David went to a medical institution in Switzerland and completed the ultimate choice of his life. At the moment of his death, he did not leave too many regrets, because he had fought for the cause he loved, and he also paid bravely for his dignity and choice at the last moment.
David was still joking on his deathbed: "Why is it so slow?" Although David's life is over, his spirit of courage to pursue the truth and dare to face himself is still alive in the world, even in the face of the ultimate challenge of death.
Everyone should value their lives and strive to live a meaningful and worthwhile life. After all, in a limited amount of time, the most important thing is to live a wonderful life without regrets.
Resources:
Baidu Encyclopedia: David Goodall, a 104-year-old scientist in Australia went to Switzerland to euthanize and sang "Ode to Joy" on his deathbed
A 104-year-old scientist embarks on a "dying journey".
