TIME

Seventy-six year old "Bill" suffers from lung cancer. He has been married to his wife, "Vicky" for almost fifty years. When I first walked into their tiny mobile home, he was lying back in a recliner in the small living room. There was a bookcase next to him full of pill bottles, water glasses, paperback books and lots of clutter.

Bill was quick to smile and shared that he spent his days and nights lying in his recliner. It was the only place where he was comfortable and could breathe easily. He was on continuous oxygen and felt safe as everything he needed was within arm's reach. Bill spends his day watching television and listening to chamber music.

Each time I visited Bill's home, I would find him in good spirits with an easy smile. I am always amazed how someone, who has had every pleasure taken away, can still find joy. He was one of those folks. Bill spoke of God and the afterlife and felt that Earth was Hell. He felt that the more one suffered on Earth, the better it will be in Heaven. His belief is what sustains him and what gets him through each of his days.


TIME

He lies in his recliner.
That's all that he can do.
His needs are within arm's reach;
the remote,
his pills,
his oxygen.

His days are long.
The nights even longer.
Not sure if it's Monday or Tuesday.
Each day repeating just like the last.

He is a spiritual man.
He believes in God and the afterlife.
He feels the more we suffer on Earth,
the better our Heaven will have to be.

He takes things all in stride.
He says there's not much else one can do.
When asked how things are going,
he's quick to reply
"I'm puttin my time in."