GOOSEBUMPS

The hospice nurse and I admitted, “Betty”, to hospice today. Betty had been in the hospital for almost a week receiving treatment for her cancer. The doctors told Betty about a new treatment plan, but Betty said, “I want to go home to die. I am done.”

Betty lives with her husband, “Walter”, who is her primary caretaker. Walter has some health issues himself and does need additional help in caring for Betty. Walter has hired full time caregivers. Walter and Betty’s two daughters both live about sixty miles away and will be rotating weekends to help out their parents.

Both daughters were very open and realistic regarding their mother’s poor prognosis and terminal status. The youngest daughter, “Mary Ann”, easily verbalized her emotions, stress and grief. A big part of the social work role is to validate and paraphrase what someone is saying. It is called Active Listening. It is so supportive to the one talking as it normalizes their thoughts. In addition, it is building up a relationship whereby patients or family members will know it is safe to express honest feelings.

We were all in Betty’s bedroom during the visit. When I was ready to leave, Mary Ann said that she would walk me to the front door. Mary Ann and I then spent another fifteen minutes talking. We both felt that we were meant to meet today. I feel we were drawn together by spiritual vibes from above. These type of moments always give me goose bumps, which is so wonderful, humbling and amazing.


GOOSEBUMPS

It happens now and then.
You meet up with someone
with whom you totally connect;
          you completely understand.

She started talking the moment we walked in.
Sharing her emotions; sharing her stress.
Needing to care for her mother;
knowing how much it is helping her dad.

At the end of our visit,
she walked me to the front door.
She talked for another fifteen minutes
while I validated and understood her beliefs.

She told me about her out-of-body experience
while I, then too, shared mine.
Neither quite finding the words to explain,
but both understanding from deep inside.

Coincidences are from above.
Spirituality at its best.
I feel so honored, I get goose bumps
whenever I experience mystical moments.

She felt goose bumps too
as meeting me made them arise.
She said, “We were meant to meet today,”
while I replied, “I feel it too.”

          Goosebumps.