PATHS

I have experienced so many coincidences in my work as a hospice social worker. I do not believe in coincidences as believe it is our higher power at play. When I first met “Alice” and her family, I had no idea that we had a connection. Unbeknownst to all of us, I had met several of Alice’s family members at my cousin’s wedding several years ago.

Four days ago, I first met Alice to admit her to hospice. She was in the hospital and so anxious just to get home. Fortunately, we were able to arrange for Alice to be discharged that afternoon. Alice lives with her husband of forty years, “Jessie”. Jessie was standing by Alice’s bedside. It was so obvious how much he loved her. Alice’s two daughters and a son-in-law were also there.

Alice shared that she had no fears about dying as knew she was going to a better place. Her only concern was leaving her family. Alice has an extremely, large, extended family. They have lived in the same small, rural country town for years. Alice and Jessie are well known and loved by so many in their community.

I felt an instant connection with Alice and her family. They laughed and loved so easily. They so appreciated anything and everything that anyone did for them. They were so gracious. Little did I know then, that I would meet up with Alice’s family again.

Four days later, when I got to the office, I heard that Alice died thirty minutes before. My earlier schedule got shifted and so I was available to drive out to the their home to support the family.

The morning we admitted Alice to hospice, I spoke with my cousin, Jessica, who was telling me about her best friend’s grandmother going onto hospice. Our satellite connection was poor and I couldn’t catch the name of her friend’s grandmother. When I walked out to my car after admitting Alice to our program, I saw that Jessica had texted Alice’s name on my phone. Coincidently, Alice was Jessica’s best friend’s grandmother.

By helping Alice and her family, I also felt that I was helping my cousin Jessica. A double bonus for me. It is a humbling and grateful feeling to have been involved. I do not think it was a coincidence. I believe it was my higher power. I felt I was meant to meet this amazing family. The whole experience felt so right. It is the spirituality of my work at play and why I continue to do what I do. Go in peace, Alice.


PATHS


We met four days ago in the hospital.
Her wish was to just get home.
We arranged transportation that same day,
not knowing we’d meet up again so soon.

Neither of us knew or were aware
that our paths had crossed once before.
It felt so comfortable being with them.
Somehow, were we meant to meet again?

My appointment was running late.
I missed the admission I had planned to do.
She died today and I was suddenly available.
Was this sequence of events planned that way?

We realized we had met before.
Our connection was my cousin, their friend.
Was a higher power directing our way
so our paths would cross again?

It doesn’t matter if it was serendipity or chance.
The important thing is that I just know; I just believe
that I was honored to be there.
So thankful
         that again
                  our paths did cross.