The Good Short Life

Dudley Clendinen was an American journalist and author, who wrote about a vareity of topics, including civil rights, aging in America, the New South etc. He has held the position of reporter and senior editor at several newspapers in the country, including the New York Times, for which he was a national correspondent and editorial writer. In “The Good Short Life”, he discusses his approaching death. In November of 2010, Clendinen was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, abbreviated ASL, but more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. As Clendinen describes his disease, “it is not a kind disease. The nerves and muscles pulse and twitch, and progressively, they die” (63). There is no known treatment or cure.

            What is striking about this essay is the tone. Clendinen knows he is going to die. He is so blunt and matter-of-fact about the subject. He jokingly refers to his disease as “Lou”, giving a chillingly friendly and jovial impression of his situation. He writes, “I am in fact prepared. This is not as hard for me as it is for others” (65). Clendinen has accepted the fact of his own death. Although he has the option to try to prolong his life with various medical procedures, he chooses not to. He argues that it is better to spend the remainder of ones life with friends and family, doing what one loves, rather than be uncomfortable and in the hospital

            In fact, towards the end of the essay Clendinen announces that he has choosen to commit suicide before his disease renders him speechless and immobile. He writes, “I found the way. Not a gun. A way that’s quiet and calm. Knowing that comforts me” (66).  Clendinen died late May of 2012, not by his own hand, but by Lou’s. In the words that he left behind his message is clear. In life, quality trumps quantity. Clendinen scolds Americans for being drawn towards quantity, because they are afraid of death. He call for a change in how we talk about and perceive death. Because being afraid of death is no way to really live.

Lou Gehrig, the disease's namesake.

N.d. Photograph. Time Magazine. Time, 17 Apr. 2010. Web. 8 Aug. 2013.