CHALLENGES

The hospice nurse and I went out to admit, "Carmen", a forty-one year old, suffering from liver cancer. Carmen, an immigrant from Mexico, has lived in the United States for over twenty years. She speaks Spanish and does not understand much of the English language.

Upon entering her home, we found Carmen sitting on the couch. She was so frail and thin. She sat quietly while wrapped in a big woolen blanket. She greeted us, but appeared somber at first. Carmen's sister was there and acted as the interpreter. Once we started talking about Carmen and her family's needs, we informed them about hospice support.

Carmen started to trust us and opened up quickly. She had the cutest sense of humor. She was such a joyful person, I felt instantly connected to her. She has two teenagers which she raised as a single mom. Her income was very low as she had worked in the fields for many years. She had so many challenges in her life, but accepted each one as it came along.

She was tearful when talking about not being ready to leave her family or friends. Carmen so embraced life and those people in her life. It was not surprising that she had such a supportive family with a huge network of friends.

Carmen is such a special person and I felt honored to have met her. I have done hospice work for a long time and still have no answer as to why some folks have to cope with such a devastating illness. I don't believe there is an answer. It is just so random. I only wish Carmen the best.


CHALLENGES

Her life has been full of challenges.
A single mom; hard work in the field; now cancer.
Her beautiful smile, her sense of humor
has helped her cope so well.

She was sitting on the couch
when we walked into her home.
Quietly wrapped in a woolen blanket.
Withered, emaciated, weak.

She didn’t speak our language
so her sister translated the words.
But her heart, her spirit spoke so clearly,
we deeply understood how she did feel.

Through all of the struggles,
her gracefulness brilliantly shown through.
Her eloquence, her dignity
truly stole all of our hearts.

She cried so genuinely
when I asked her about her fears.
She’s not yet ready
to leave her young children;
         her family or her friends.

She is one special gal  
whom I feel honored to have met.
I know she will face her upcoming challenges
with her beautiful smile;
          spiritual dignity,
                   and with her own special grace.