THE GOLFER

Eighty-nine year old “Grace”, suffers from end-stage kidney disease. When Grace was eighty, she had a kidney transplant, which, unfortunately is no longer working. Prior to her transplant, she had been on dialysis for years. This time, Grace chose not to go on dialysis

Grace has been declining since that decision two weeks ago. I went out to see her today and found her questioning why she is still here. She is ready to go as is bedridden and totally dependent with all of her needs. She is no longer eating as it makes her nauseas.

Grace was feeling depressed as she missed being on the go. She had been extremely active her entire life. She started talking about her life and her love of golf. The conversation was a pleasant distraction for her. She started remembering good times in her life. She started to laugh and giggle when sharing her golf stories.

Four mornings a week, when in her seventies, Grace would get up before dawn to play a round of golf with her girlfriends. After golfing, the four of them would go out to lunch. After lunch, Grace would then head to dialysis on three of those days.

I love Grace’s spunk and the energy she had for life. I told her she was my hero. Grace’s zest for life was fantastic. Being so dependent is a huge loss for her. Grace’s grief is real and so appropriate. I hope she has more moments of life review to put some needed cheer in her final days It was wonderful that Grace was able to share some of that joy with me today.


THE GOLFER

　
At eighty-nine, her body is wearing out.
Her kidneys are no longer working.
She is getting weaker by the day.
She questions why she is still here.

She started talking about her life.
How she played golf four days a week.
She so loved being outdoors.
Surely what she misses the most.

She was an avid golfer.
It was her favorite pastime. 
When headed to the nearest green,
joyfulness was added to her day.

Up at the crack of dawn before the sunrise.
Being with her girlfriends; then out to lunch.
Her face lit up when telling her story;
along with a chuckle, deep, down inside.

She spoke about her hole-in-one.
To her surprise it was in the cup.
She started to giggle when she shared,
“That was the first time I said shit”.