Have the talk

Have the talk

Re “No Easy Task” (Insight, Dec. 22): As a nurse for more than 40 years, and having seen friends painfully struggling with end-of-life planning related to caring for parents and other loved ones, I have seen the fallout of not having had these conversations prior to the very end.

We all will eventually die. And although people are reluctant to have end-of-life planning conversations, I am thrilled that groups like the Conversation Project are attempting to change this, and are providing the tools.

The documentary, “How to Die in Oregon,” takes it to another level in its aid-in-dying approach, but clearly presents the potential benefits that proactive planning can provide. Having end-of-life conversations is truly a gift of love. As difficult as they may seem at the time, in the big picture of things, they truly can make the death of a loved one much less painful on a variety of levels, for all involved.

How about rails plus trails?

Re “From rail to trail: City proposes bike, foot path” (1A, Dec. 23): The proposal to remove the historic rails on the former Walnut Grove Branch railroad corridor is narrow minded. Leaving the rails in the ground makes for a broader use of this valued resource. Railroad corridors were the life-blood arteries in and around Sacramento, the state and the nation. Jogging, bicycling and dog walkers have adequate room to move alongside the tracks. Leaving the rails in place would provide both access and a resource for hobbyists who own and operate vintage track inspection rail cars, little rail cars formerly used by railroad companies to move track workers out onto the rails for maintenance of way.

There are 200 rail cars in California that rent unused rail corridors, providing a rare experience to “feel” the tracks and to encounter these rails as an educational, recreational and historical event. The North American Rail Car Owners Association provides the insurance, rules and regulations to safely operate these cars. Riding on the rails in a rail car is, in many cases, the only way that a handicapped person can enjoy this historic resource.

Offsets for Space X?

Re “Landing is one giant leap for space travel” (Insight, Dec. 23): Will the Space X passengers be buying carbon offsets to absorb the thousands of pounds of CO2 they will be putting into the air with each flight?

This story was originally published December 29, 2015 at 4:01 PM with the headline "Have the talk."