ON THE OTHER SIDE

I have done hospice work for over fifteen years. I am educated and trained on counseling and supporting patients and families. I love being on this side of the desk. It is so amazingly rewarding.

Sadly my friend Amye was diagnosed with cancer eight months ago. She has been through treatment and surgery, even though from the initial diagnosis, the doctor told her there is no cure, only treatment. She is amazing as is teaching me so much about life and death by sharing her heart and soul with me.

I am now on the other side of the desk; on the other side of the fence. It is a profoundly challenging experience. Amye lives about forty-five minutes away from me. I visit her twice a week. Before each visit, I struggle as I want to say and do the right things. I want to fix it and make her cancer go away. I want to do all that I know cannot be done.

The beautiful part about all of this, is Amye's trust in me by her words. It is so humbling to me. In addition, I have an amazing support network of family, friends and co-workers. Small gestures are profound to me. I am surrounded by so much love, I am truly blessed.

Thank you Amye for your gifts to me. Thank you co-workers and friends for allowing me to be where I am; and thank you dear family for just loving me. In all this sadness, beauty abounds.


ON THE OTHER SIDE 　

I have worked hospice for years.
I have counseled, supported,
validated and normalized
strong emotions with compelling fears.

I am now on the other side.
My dear friend was admitted to hospice.
Her recent decline is sudden.
It may be just weeks.

I visit her every three days or so.
I don't know what to say.
I truly don't know what to do.
I want to fix it; to make it go away.

I sit with her and we talk.
She is baring her soul to me.
It is humbling, but beautiful.
It helps both of us to understand.

In her dying process,
she is showing me spirituality.
Life is all about love,
                but so is death.

Through her struggle, blessings thrive.
The support I am receiving is profound.
It melts my heart while bringing tears.
It helps me to easily embrace her more.

Throughout her struggle and decline,
there is an abundance of beauty; of love.
Throughout it all though, I can honestly say,
"I don't believe it will ever be effortless
        for anyone when
                  On the other side."