MAN CAVE

Fifty-four year old, “Duane”, suffered from colon cancer. Duane lived with “Trudy”, his wife of thirty-two years. They have three adult sons who are devoted to their parents. Growing up, the boys always brought their friends over and Trudy would dote on all of them. Trudy said she had about eight additional “adopted” sons.

Duane converted his two car garage into his “Man Cave”. He loved being out there surrounded by his large screen television, a comfy sofa with two recliners and a refrigerator holding his favorite food and drink. Duane made toys, lamps and picture frames out of wooden match sticks. Duane had many of his creations displayed in the garage. It was where he did his work.

Duane came onto hospice about six weeks ago when it became apparent that he was declining. My weekly visits were spent in the Man Cave with Duane and his family. He would proudly show me many of his match stick creations.

Duane took a rapid decline two weeks ago. He stopped eating and became very weak. The hospice nurse wanted to order a hospital bed so that he would be more comfortable, but Duane refused to leave his Man Cave. Even though he was so weak, he would will himself to sit up on the couch. This past week, Duane no longer was able to sit up. He spent his final days lying where he was most comfortable; his couch.

Hours after he died, family discovered two pennies near his couch side by side. They knew it was a sign from Duane letting them know that he was okay. His son, “Dennis” noticed the coins first. He turned and called out to his family to come to the Man Cave to see. When Dennis turned his attention back to the two pennies, he realized that one penny had moved and was now lying about six feet away from the other coin.

No one had touched the coins and Dennis only looked away for a moment. It was then that the family were truly convinced that it was Duane and he was doing just fine enjoying his new Heavenly Man Cave.

Later that night, Duane’s six year old granddaughter, “Shiloh”, saw her grandpa in the clouds. She says she felt love. The family experienced many other moments convincing them all that Duane was still checking in with them.

Duane loved his coffee, but wasn’t able to drink any for several months because it upset his stomach. At 3am the following morning after his death, his daughter-in-law woke up to the smell of coffee. She checked throughout the home to find that there was no coffee brewing. In addition, the family are finding copper pennies everywhere. It gives them great peace knowing that Duane is doing well and is still around.


MAN CAVE

　
He loved his Man Cave.
His favorite place to hang out.
One would typically find him there on the sofa
watching his large, flat-screen TV.

His sons were often with him,
reminiscing about fish stories of the past.
Freezing by the river;
          holding tight to their poles;
                    the big one that got away.

His illness took a sudden turn.
He declined rather quickly.
He refused to come inside.
Not budging from his couch.

He died yesterday in his Man Cave.
Peacefully they say, with his eldest son by his side.
Dying where he always lived;
his favorite spot to be.

They weren’t surprised at all
when he showed them he was fine.
Leaving a message for all of them
so that they would,
          without a doubt,
                    know that it was him.

Again, saying hello
from the Man Cave.