Hospice is a Real Blessing

I dreaded the meeting with hospice yesterday. It couldn't have gone better. There were tears -- and laughter. Good memories -- and good decisions. Mama will be getting extra help, comfort and attention. My father will receive the same because the hospice people will visit him every time they visit her, to update him and talk to him. He has already been grieving. Now his grief has an outlet, and not only has he begun the process of saying goodbye, he's also found a way to enjoy the time he spends with her. He can turn over some of his watchfulness to hospice and simply be present in the moment when he visits her.

There's a lot of smooching going on in the nursing home. My father called all excited last night because my mother kissed him three times last night. He's canceled his trip to the country today to spend the day with her. I hope they don't get in trouble for smooching too much.

The hospice people are gifted in what they do and I think they are there because it's their calling. We are using Lutheran Hospice (Saintly Brother is Lutheran), which is part of the Faith-Based Initiative that's somehow controversial.

What could possibly be controversial about people of faith, who have paid and paid and paid into the system, receiving comfort and emotional support as they ease from life to death from other people of faith? Who is better equipped to give comfort and support to people of faith than other people of faith, people who believe that a better life is yet to come? How does this diminish our country or infringe on the peace of non-believers?

I'm grateful that they are there. Beautiful, caring people who have the right words for hard times.

Comments

[mat]

Before my grandmother passed six years ago, we opted for hospice care in my mother's home. They were among the most caring, helpful, giving people I have ever encountered.