"Aunt Sylvia", eighty-three, suffered a major stroke ten days ago. After a short hospital stay she was transferred to a skilled nursing facility for rehab to help her get stronger. Aunt Sylvia's disease continued to progress to where the physical therapy did not help at all. It was, at that time, that the medical staff and family all knew that her time was near.
The family moved her to a small Board and Care Home in order to allow her disease to run its natural course in comfort. I went out to do a visit today to give the family support. I found Aunt Sylvia unresponsive with erratic breathing. She had long pauses between breaths. The patient's niece, "Kim", was sitting at the bedside.
Kim immediately started to share stories about her aunt's life. Kim so respected her aunt and told me beautiful stories about the wonderful events her aunt experienced throughout her life. The life review validated her aunt's impact on all of the family. Her aunt looked so beautiful lying there. It was such a gift that Kim gave me by sharing these lovely stories. We both benefited from them. I was at the bedside a little less than an hour, but felt I truly knew Aunt Sylvia by the time I left. Thank you Kim.
ADDENDUM: Hours later, in the middle of the night, Aunt Sylvia died peacefully. Kim was seated at the bedside saying her goodbyes. A beautiful gift to all.
LET ME KNOW
Her illness came on suddenly
with an unexpected, rapid decline.
Independent one day; dependent the next.
Now only hours to maybe a few days.
She is now unresponsive and bedridden,
with long pauses between breaths.
Her niece, sitting by her side; holding her hand;
telling life stories about her precious aunt.
She had to let me know how special her aunt was.
She was an environmentalist; a naturalist.
Shooting hundreds of beautiful photographs
from travels all over the world.
She was a first grade teacher.
Loving, gentle and kind to all.
Teaching her nieces all about life
through her actions, her beliefs, her heart.
Sharing her aunt's life stories
validated all the good she had done.
Wanting no one to ever forget her.
So strongly just wanting to;
just needing to;
let me know.
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