STORIES

 I have witnessed so much as a medical social worker.  There has been sadness, but what embraces me most of all, is the love that I witness and experience on a daily basis.   I am so often amazed by the beauty of it all.  One’s illness does not define who that person is.  Unfortunately, when one is terminal, the illness is so powerfully strong that it is a constant reminder of the reality of what is truly happening.  

I hear so many beautiful stories every day.  That so identifies the patient and their family.  Everyone has a story, but most of us don’t think much about it as we are “just living our life.”   Writing poetry helps me process those special moments.  I feel so honored to be able to share these stories on my blog.  I cannot thank you enough for logging on to capture one more story each week.  The perfect words from me are a great “Thank You!!!!” 

STORIES 

 

 

Everyone has a story to share, 

but so often we aren’t aware 

as we are just living our lives; 

meeting each day as it comes. 

 

I am blessed to experience and witness 

so many amazing stories each day. 

Writing poetry helps me process those moments; 

while my blog so helps me to share. 

 

Over 14,000 people read my blog last month. 

I am so thankful but also wonder who you are. 

These stories so need to be told; need to be shared. 

Thank you so much for logging in. 

 

I have worked in the Emergency Room and hospice 

my entire thirty-five-year career as a Social Worker. 

I have been surrounded by a lot of loss and love. 

We are so often told we made a difference. 

                    That is, by far, the best gift of all. 

 

My brother just died a few days ago. 

He had been sick for quite a long time. 

He was a fighter and hardly complained. 

His beauty and love continued to show. 

 

You would think I would know what to do. 

You would also think I would know what to say. 

Emotions run so strongly and take charge. 

“This so doesn’t seem fair at all.” 

 

But, so beautifully, we both so knew 

how much we unconditionally loved each other. 

There are no perfect words or ideal things to do. 

What matters most, is our lifetime of love. 

That is the greatest story of all. 

 

THIS TIME

Working in hospice, one meets so many amazing folks with fascinating stories to tell.  The illness is such a small part of who the patient is, but it becomes so strongly vivid when one is terminal.  So much of hospice work is actively listening to patients and families.   

There are no perfect words to say, but when one grieves, one wants to take the patient’s pain and sorrow away.  The best gift of all is just being there; because in the end it is who is in your life; not what.  Even though we may know and believe that; we may continue to try to fix things.  Because in the end, our heart is truly breaking. 

THIS TIME 

 

 

He’s been in the hospital a lot lately 

as has been sick for so many months. 

His body keeps filling up with fluid; 

while the doctors just don’t know why. 

 

So much of his body is not working 

leaving him needing a lot of support. 

He gets short of breath and dizzy; 

his appetite is nearly gone. 

 

He came onto hospice today.  

“I am tired of fighting the fight. 

Nothing seems to be working much at all. 

This may be my time to let go”. 

 

This time, I didn’t know what to say. 

I didn’t know how to react. 

My words and emotions were jumbled and mixed. 

Because, this time, he is my brother. 

 

I wanted to say the right words. 

I wanted to fix it and make things better. 

I love being a hospice social worker, 

but for now, he so much more needs a sister. 

 

This time, I so deeply know how to be his sister. 

I will continue to naturally love him 

like he has always unconditionally loved me. 

This is the best gift of all. 

 

I so fortunately 

                    know what to do; 

                                         this time.