"I'VE ACCEPTED"

The hospice nurse and I went out to admit, "Shirley", to our hospice program today. Shirley, eighty-two, welcomed us into her home with open arms. She graciously directed us to the dining room table to sit down and talk. Shirley's husband, "Frank", was already sitting at the table.

Shirley immediately started talking about her cancer and feeding tube, along with her career as a school teacher and other family stories. She would laugh so easily. Frank cried several times throughout our visit when talking about his wife's cancer and poor prognosis. She would then tell him to stop crying. Shirley only wanted positive moments in her life.

The way she spoke about her cancer was so amazing as she turned things around to the positive side. She spoke of her amazing family and her marvelous friends. She stayed upbeat and positive. Shirley was a perfect example of dying the way she lived. I have a feeling her family and friends are not surprised at all.


"I'VE ACCEPTED"

Her smile came so easily
as she greeted us into her home.
She straightforwardly spoke about her cancer,
her trouble swallowing, her feeding tube.

She was realistic and matter of fact.
No worries or fears at all.
She embraced her amazing family
and her tremendous number of friends.

Her husband's tears flowed more easily
as he spoke about his grief and sadness.
The thought of losing his wife of 61 years
was almost too much to bear.

When I asked her how she is coping,
her reply came so quickly,
"I've accepted
          That is what I do."

She was so amazing.
Diagnosed only three weeks ago.
Totally accepting so much unexpected loss.
Dying the way she lived.