“Dear Brittany Maynard,”

What the heck are you doing? I do not swear a lot; but, when I saw your article in People's Magazine, it angered me. I saw the photograph of you with your husband, your mother, and your father (or, is it your step-father?). I saw their faces sullen and sad. Stop being so damn selfish! Snap out of it!

Did you know that it is the woman who brings forth life? We, women, have the special privilege of carrying a child in our womb and bearing it into the world. We do not create our children; but, we have the duty of preserving life. We care for life in and with our bodies. We protect it. Our message to the world is a life-giving message. It is a message of hope. It speaks: "Life is worth protecting. It has value and dignity." People hear that message resound in their hearts -- whether they consciously realize it or not -- from women. It is a message that gives their own life comfort, safety, peace, security, encouragement, and hope. Why does it give them these things? Because they are life -- people are life; "alive," if you will. Their own identity is affirmed by women.

I am calling you out -- woman to woman. I am throwing the flag. What you are doing goes against what it means to be woman. Instead of bringing life to the world; you are bringing death. Instead of being a beacon of hope for the world; you are being a beacon of darkness and horror. Instead of affirming the life of every person who witnesses your story; you are devaluing their life. This is your message to the world: "Your life is meaningless. You have no value, dignity, or worth."

I cannot and will not let another woman in the public eye speak this message to the people of the world. People who have heard Brittany's story and message, listen to me. Brittany is not fulfilling her duty of a woman. She is not speaking life to the world. Listen to me. Your life is worth living. So, keep on living it. Live it to the fullest. Your life is meant to be filled with love. You are loved and worthy of life. Your life has value, dignity, and worth. I respect your life.

So, live on. Be happy. Feel loved. <3

Love,
Ashley Sheridan