ONE LITTLE THING

“Ward”, eighty-seven was only on hospice for one day. Ward suffered from leukemia and his decline was swift. I called the home and spoke with Ward’s wife, “Nina”, about scheduling a visit. Being a Friday, she asked that I call her early next week as her family were all coming into town. She added that she felt Ward was nearing the end of his life. She denied any current need and we agreed that I would call her after the weekend.

Ward died later that same evening with all of his family around. After the weekend, when I spoke with Nina, it was to offer condolences. Nina said she was doing just fine as she has a very supportive, close-knit family. She did say that there was one thing that I could do for her. She said she was getting so stressed over all the paperwork that needs to be completed.

Ward’s memorial was only two days away and she was told by the mortuary that they cannot release a body without a death certificate signed by the patient’s doctor. I made a quick phone call and was informed that the certificate would be ready later this afternoon. I called Nina back and informed her of what I was told. I shared that it is all done electronically and the funeral home should have the paperwork by day’s end.

Nina could not thank me enough. She was so grateful. It made me stop and think about the profoundness of little things. It doesn’t take much to make a phone call or say thank you. Both of us were grateful for the other doing “one little thing.”


ONE LITTLE THING

　
His decline was swift.
Not much time to adjust.
Family quickly rallied and were together,
when he took his final breath.

I called to offer condolences.
To let her know that she’s not alone.
To avail herself to our bereavement support;
counseling, phone calls, mailings, groups.

She said she and the family were doing okay.
She knows they will be just fine.
Her only stressor is all the paperwork,
if I could help with one little thing.

She felt overwhelmed by all the details.
Her emotions were running raw.
I made the phone call to ease her mind.
It didn’t seem much at the time.

She was so grateful and said,
“You did me a big favor today.
I can take a nap now and really sleep.
Thank you so much for helping me”.

It was my pleasure to help her out.
A few moments of my time.
A simple phone call to me was huge for her.
Both feeling grateful because of
       one little thing.