Read This Now - A Taste Of Mortality

Garrison Keillor waxes poetic on his recent (mild) stroke and ensuing hospital stay, the state of our health care system, and the gentle professionalism of nurses.

He does end with a bit of bite though...

Two weeks ago, you were waltzing around feeling young and attractive, and now you are the object of Get Well cards and recipient of bouquets of carnations. Rich or poor, young or old, we all face the injustice of life -- it ends too soon, and statistical probability is no comfort. We are all in the same boat, you and me and ex-Gov. Palin and Rep. Joe Wilson, and wealth and social status do not prevail against disease and injury. And now we must reform our health insurance system so that it reflects our common humanity. It is not decent that people avoid seeking help for want of insurance. It is not decent that people go broke trying to get well. You know it and I know it. Time to fix it.

Visit Salon for the whole piece.