“O DEATH, WHERE IS THY STING…?” Cont’d from prev. blog)
“My problem at present is coping with feelings about my family. I just don’t want to leave them. I look at Marianne (his wife) when she is not looking and I think of how we met, our first kiss and the day we married and managed to feel so together and completely one at the very first attempt. I think of our joy at Angela’s (their daughter’s) birth, of Angie’s first day at school, her first date and then her marriage to Ken. Quite honestly, I had mixed feelings that day but I needn’t have worried and things have worked out so well – for all of us. After quite a wait, our first grandchild is now due in three months. (Other very personal words not reported here). Well that will be good for Marianne; she is never happier than when she has a baby in her arms. She can give it a kiss from me!
The big question for me at the moment is where will I die? I want to die at home where everything is as natural and where I am, with all our things around us and not in a hospital or hospice bed and away from home. I will need to speak to Marianne about it. I know she will understand, and if it is too much for her, then so will I.”
Footnote· apart, I do not intend to make any kind of comment concerning the above extract, since I believe that any words of mine about it could only dilute its incredibly powerful and moving message. Clearly, death is a personal journey and we know how important it is for many, to believe that death has meaning. Precisely what that meaning is, appears for some to be of paramount importance, while for others it seems of lesser concern. But questions like “Is it the end?” or “Is it a new beginning?” occur to us throughout life yet (for some, so it would seem) never more so than when they are approaching the “final door” leading out of the life we presently know. Sometimes for one or more of many sound reasons, patients will indeed, end their days in hospital or a hospice. Almost my entire experience of, especially the latter, is that they can do provide a most supportive and peaceful place of repose, to the support and benefit of all concerned. At their best they truly can be warm, worry-free and altogether wonderful places (C)SB.