HER SCRIPT

Eighty-one year old “Bonnie” suffered from end-stage heart disease. She was a devoted Catholic and received comfort from its doctrine and teachings. She had a strong belief in heaven and the afterlife. She knew her loved ones, who had passed before, were there waiting for her.

Bonnie had no fear of dying. Her one fear though, was that she would be alone when it happened. Bonnie was widowed and lived alone. She had one son, “Gary”, who lived nearby. When Bonnie got to the point that she could no longer be alone, she hired an attendant. The attendant would be with Bonnie five days each week, while Gary stayed with his mom the other two remaining days.

Bonnie died at 9:45 last night. The hospice nurse had just walked in when Bonnie took her final breath. Two hours earlier, Bonnie’s breathing changed and the family called hospice to inform them of the change. The nurse said that she could be there in a few hours. It was then that Gary called Bonnie’s sister to come over.

When Bonnie took her final breath, Gary was holding one of her hands, while her sister was holding the other. Other family members were standing nearby. It was comforting to the family knowing that Bonnie did not die alone and that they all were able to be there for her.

I called Gary today to offer condolences and my sympathy. It was then when Gary told me about his mom’s script. He is at peace with her dying as he knew she was ready and she did not die alone. He said she set the stage to have the hospice nurse and the family there when she took her final breath.

Bonnie’s brother, “Bob”, had died a few years ago. When Gary called his cousin, Bob’s daughter, to inform her of his mother’s death, his cousin told him something amazing. His cousin knew how much Bonnie was ready to go and so she spoke silently to her father and said, “Help Aunt Bonnie cross over.” Gary’s cousin said that she relayed these thoughts to her father at 9:35 last night; ten minutes before Bonnie died. It gives Gary peace to hear what she had to say, as he knows his mom was not alone when she transitioned to the other side. He truly believes, that as they were releasing her, other family members were receiving her.

Gary says that he knows he will have some tough days ahead, but is at peace at how everything turned out. I have no doubt, that in time, he will be fine.


HER SCRIPT
　

She never had a fear of dying.
She has been ready for a while.
She hates living this way.
She can’t wait to let go.

She knows she will be with family
when she crosses to the other side.
Her parents; her brother; so many others.
This is taking way too long.

Her son says she wrote a script.
She wished to never die alone.
She wants her relatives with her
when it is her time to go.

She took her final breath last night,
with her family by the bedside.
Her son; her sister; each holding a hand.
Her final wish did come true.

She got the lead role in her screenplay.
She played her part so well.
No rehearsals ever needed,
for her “once in a lifetime”
          script.