HI RAY

The hospice nurse and I went out together to open a new case to hospice. “Linda”, fifty-six suffers from breast cancer that has spread to her bones and liver. She was working until six weeks ago. She has had a rapid decline since that time.

Linda lives with her husband, “Norm”. They have been married thirty-six years. Norm, seventy-one, is fifteen years older than Linda, but looks so much younger than his years. He has a youthful spirit and is very active, healthy and so full of life.

Norm reminded me so much of my friend Ray. Ray died eighteen months ago of cancer. Ray was seventy-one when he died. Ray was also fifteen years older than his wife, Judy. Norm looked, talked and joked like Ray. He was a spitting image of Ray.

I felt Ray’s presence in the room. I don’t know how much of that feeling was Norm’s likeness to Ray, but I knew Ray was nearby. I felt it in my heart. It gives one comfort to know that loved ones do come by now and then.

After the visit, I called Judy to share the story. She said that earlier that day, she was driving behind a Jeep Cherokee with a sticker in the window that said, “Ray’s”. Coincidently, Ray’s last three vehicles were all Jeep Cherokees. Judy said that she too has felt Ray’s presence all day .

Be it coincidence or not, it gives one comfort to feel the presence of a loved one. It gives reassurance that we all will meet up again one day.

HI RAY
　

Hi Ray.
I felt your spirit today.
Showing us your presence.
Watching over us here.

He looked like you.
He joked like you.
His voice was your voice.
He had you down pat.

Happy to see you again.
Happy to know you come around.
Checking to see that we are okay.
We need you in our corner.

Tears have come as there is sadness too.
Awareness of the pain of losing you.
Missing those special times.
Moments that are forever gone.

Ray, come again soon.
Let us know you are nearby.
A sign that you are doing well
and that we will see you again one day.

          Hi Ray.