Happy Thanksgiving, JVL. I’m glad you and your family are able to find gratitude in your grief.
As an aside-- after my Dad died in 2009, I decided to become certified as a hospice volunteer. I’d been struck by the hospice nurses and workers who not only took great care of Dad but also gave my mom a break when she needed it (my Dad was in home hospice). They were invaluable to my family. Since then (with a pause for COVID when volunteer programs were paused), I’ve had the privilege of sitting with and getting to know people at the end of life and their families. Some people want to talk and tell stories, some want to be read to, sometimes we just sit in silence. I get to be whatever they need at that time.
It sounds like your Father in Law was well taken care of. Being surrounded by those we love as we take our last breath is the dream. Thank you for sharing.
Denis, so glad that you have embraced this role of hospice work. I have had the privilege of being with several dear friends during their last hours. They died way too young, but so wonderful to provide love and the open space needed at such a time. And so very humbling to feel God's grace during those times.
Happy Thanksgiving, JVL. I’m glad you and your family are able to find gratitude in your grief.
As an aside-- after my Dad died in 2009, I decided to become certified as a hospice volunteer. I’d been struck by the hospice nurses and workers who not only took great care of Dad but also gave my mom a break when she needed it (my Dad was in home hospice). They were invaluable to my family. Since then (with a pause for COVID when volunteer programs were paused), I’ve had the privilege of sitting with and getting to know people at the end of life and their families. Some people want to talk and tell stories, some want to be read to, sometimes we just sit in silence. I get to be whatever they need at that time.
It sounds like your Father in Law was well taken care of. Being surrounded by those we love as we take our last breath is the dream. Thank you for sharing.
Denis, so glad that you have embraced this role of hospice work. I have had the privilege of being with several dear friends during their last hours. They died way too young, but so wonderful to provide love and the open space needed at such a time. And so very humbling to feel God's grace during those times.
Thanks Laura, that’s amazing. The privilege really is mine as it is a lesson in humility and service to spend time with patients and their families.