MIDNIGHT CALLER

Eighty-five year old “Ted” suffered from end stage lung disease. He was on continuous oxygen and got very short of breath with any endurance. He was always in good spirits and would easily produce a big smile.

Ted lived with his wife of thirty years, “Penny”. Penny was sixteen years younger than Ted and easily managed his needs. Both Ted and Penny were widowed and came into this married with children. There were seven children between them and all got along well and considered themselves one big family. All of Penny’s children considered Ted their father.

Ted was starting to decline when he came onto hospice. He was only on hospice for a short time when it became apparent that he had only days to live. Ted died on a Sunday afternoon with all of his family around.

I spoke with Penny two days later and that is when she shared the story about the midnight caller. Penny, the neighbor and all of their family believe it was Ted who rang that bell. Penny said that it gives her and the family comfort knowing that it was Ted saying goodbye to his friend. She feels that if his daughter did not shake his shoulder at midnight, that he would have died at that time. She added that the shaking brought him back for thirteen hours more.

Penny said that Ted just slipped away. She said it was a peaceful end. I believe, too, that it was Ted who rang that bell. True or not, the best part is that it gives Penny and her family peace about his passing.


MIDNIGHT CALLER


He was slowly declining.
He knew his time was short.
It was important for him to say goodbye
to his good friend who lived right next door.

He was having one final good day
so they went over and rang his bell.
When no one answered they went back home.
He never got out of bed again.

His daughter checked him at midnight.
She found his breathing had stopped.
She shook him gently and he came back,
but hours later, he was gone.

His friend came over to give the family support.
He said his doorbell rang at midnight.
The motion lights never turned on as they should.
He checked the porch but no one was there.

All believe that it was he who rang the bell.
He likely would have left at that time,
but his daughter’s gentle rocking
brought him back for a few hours more.

It gives them comfort to know
that he had a peaceful end.
Reassured by the fact that he was the midnight caller.
He was the one who rang the bell.