PRACTICAL

“Daniel”, aged 70, was admitted to hospice today with a recent diagnosis of lung cancer that has spread to his brain. Daniel lives with his second wife, “Laurie”. Both Laurie and Daniel have two children from previous marriages. Since Daniel’s cancer diagnosis two months ago, he has become weaker to where he uses a walker when walking outside. He can still manage to maneuver in his home by holding onto furniture etc.

Daniel is very practical and matter of fact. When speaking about his cancer, he stated, “I did this to myself,” adding that he smoked and drank for years. Daniel continued on, saying that he only stopped drinking and smoking when he received the cancer diagnosis two months ago. He is straightforward and shows no emotion regarding his terminal diagnosis and decline.

Laurie, on the other hand, will get tearful when speaking about what has been happening to her husband. Fortunately, she has great support from several girlfriends. Daniel shared a lot of stories about being a motorcycle cop. He was straightforward when speaking about the rough side of life, but his face did light up when sharing how he delivered three babies during his career. He stated, “I think there is a little Daniel out there somewhere.”

Daniel is very practical regarding stress in his life. He also is very composed when speaking about the love for his wife. Life is just very practical and simple to him. It has worked for Daniel for seventy years and it will continue to work for him until the end. I wish he and his family well.


PRACTICAL
　

He is a very pragmatic man.
Straightforward in every respect.
No matter what, he will react
in a direct and practical way.

He was a cop for thirty years.
Stories about criminals and drug addicts.
He treated each with the same respect.
No judgment, no blame.

He’s sees life as black or white;
not even a hint of seeing anything grey.
He’ll tell you about his family problems
in a humorous and matter-of-fact way.

He’ll tell you all about his daughter.
How she has struggled with drugs for years.
To no surprise, he is candid and frank,
“She and her two children
all have the same probation officer.”

He does worry about his family though.
It’s harder for the ones left behind.
He has no fears or unfinished business;
only wanting to know the exact date he will die.

No one will be surprised
as he will die the way he has lived;
steadfast, practical, humorous.
His family wouldn’t have it any other way.