A reader writes:
Thank you so much for sharing the story about the man singing show tunes to the empty hospital bed. Those of us who have been out for a while have heard many such stories, and they always give me chills. Partly it's the emotional effect, but partly it's the recognition that it could be me. My partner and I have done all that we can to protect our relationship - durable powers of attorney, living wills and the like. Still, our families have shown variable degrees of support for us over the years. Who knows what would happen if one of them were to decide to interfere with our wishes under such trying circumstances? We do what we can and hope for the best but, as you note, nothing will replace the security that marriage will give once it finally becomes available to us.
On a lighter note, Turdus is a very well-know avian genus and includes the familiar and beloved American robin (Turdus migratorius).