There’s a self-appointed censor in my neighborhood. So far, our front lawn has suffered the theft of one of those lawn signs in opposition to the ballot issue known as Question 2 here in Massachusetts. (No, it was not the wind or rain. Our other candidate sign for the local state rep has not been touched on either occasion.) So, after the first one disappeared, we got another. That one lasted about four hours. Someone is deliberately removing our signs.

Now we’ve moved to adding bumper stickers on our cars, but my husband is thinking of attaching another sign with anchors to the big tree out front. He’s incredulous that we’ve been robbed twice. I see it more as un-neighborly. But I also realize that political passions are running high on several fronts this year, and bad behavior, and juvenile antics may come with the territory, but are so unnecessary. This IS Massachusetts, after all, a region not really known for political “dialogue”. But up until now, I had not detected any outright hostility from my neighbors with whom we’ve held differing views over the years.

Our standpoint on Question 2 is that this is a poorly written law in support of “physician-assisted” suicide… which is nothing more than a doctor’s prescription for an overdose of pills for a patient to self-administer in private – without any family consultation, and sadly, without the last rites of the Church and the grace inherent in those sacraments.

Naturally, the Catholic Church is mobilizing the faithful and other concerned citizens to show the error of this proposed law. It totally disregards human life. As a cancer-survivor myself, I’ve been a support person for friends of mine who have been terminally ill and have died. I believe in helpful, loving, and spiritual palliative care when the end of natural life is near. Pain can be treated. So can depression. Not to mention the graces of the final sacraments to accompany a person through the threshold of death into the afterlife is no small thing to overlook.

So, pray for the voters here in the Commonwealth that we might defeat this bill known as Question 2. If you need more information on the subject, I’ve written a previous post with links to share. Remember, even if you don’t live here, this fight is coming to you. Be aware and be ready.

Please pray for my neighbor whom we have obviously ticked off with our signage, that he or she might have a change of heart. I don’t know who it is, and I cannot even fathom who it might be. I seriously don’t want to accuse anyone in my mind. I’m just sad that this person or persons has been reduced to stealing signs in an effort to stifle our freedom of speech, and silence our attempts at public discourse on a life-and-death issue in an election season.

(Confidential to my neighbor who took the signs: Please ‘fess up and apologize. I’ll forgive you on the spot. I already have. Yes, I’m offended by your actions, but I’d rather remain friendly even if we disagree on this subject that is close to our hearts. They were only cardboard signs, after all. But we’re both failing at neighborliness if these become the signs of our disrespect for each other. Let’s re-establish some trust and talk. Sure, I agree, “all politics is local.” But I believe all the more that the virtue of conversation beats stealing any day. Knock on my door or leave a note in the mailbox. You already know where I live.)