WANTS HER HOME

Mid afternoon, our Admission Department, received an urgent call from a local hospital requesting that hospice quickly come to admit this patient to our program. They shared that the patient was dying and her family wanted her home.

The nurse and I were able to get to the Emergency Department within the hour. As I was driving, I had this strong premonition that the patient would die near the time of my visit. Surprisingly, my intuition was accurate.

"Janice", the patient, came from a very large family. There were about fifteen family members with her. As they lovingly hovered around the patient's bed, I was able to counsel them on grief, loss and validate their feelings and emotions.

I felt that Janice waited for hospice to arrive, knowing that her family would get the needed support from hospice. It makes me feel that I am a small part of something amazing and quite large.

After the visit, I headed back to the hospice office. Walking up to my desk, I noticed a shiny, copper penny a few feet away from my chair. I have witnessed, and have had similar experiences with copper pennies. When one sees a copper penny, I know that someone who has died is telling you that he/she is okay. I truly believe Janice was telling me that, she too, was okay.

The rewards are amazing as I truly believe that we all are a part of a wonderful, spiritual universe.


WANTS HER HOME　

The nurse called us from the ER.
"Can you come quickly?
She is dying.
Her family wants her home."

Driving up to meet the family,
my thoughts became quite strong.
"She will die right before,
or maybe right after I get there."

Walking into the Emergency Department,
a few steps from her room,
several family members rushed out,
tearfully saying, "She has just died!"

I felt she waited until I arrived,
knowing it was then okay to go.
Wanting additional support for her family.
Doing what she needed to do.

I was able to support this large family,
while offering condolences;
counseling on grief and loss;
informing them about bereavement.

The family wanted her home,
but lovingly were by her side.
A stronger power was involved,
         as God too,
                   wanted her home.