THE POWER

One doesn't realize the power and strength of emotions until it hits you personally. During my hospice work, I witness such strong emotions on a daily basis. I realize the strength of it, but do not truly feel the power of it all.

My friend, Judy, lives about 600 miles south of me. She was driving home after spending a week with friends. She estimated the drive to take about six hours. Two hours into the drive, she felt symptoms of lightheadedness, a racing heart and becoming flushed. She pulled into a Rest Stop hopefully for the symptoms to subside. They did a little bit, but smartly she called her friend who agreed to come pick her up and drive her home.

Judy called me from the Rest Stop to inform me of what was happening. We spoke several times over the next few hours. I felt so helpless as there was nothing I could do at that moment. She got home late that same night and called her doctor yesterday who directed her to the ER. Judy spent eight hours in the ER with the end result being "All is okay."

During the course of the day, I felt such a strong need to be with her. I offered to fly down to be with her, but she said she is doing okay. She has such a positive attitude about life and laughs so easily.

I could not focus on anything yesterday as all of my thoughts were on Judy. It is such a strong reminder of how life is so fragile and any one of us could be gone at any time. It is a strong lesson about embracing this moment as that is all that any of us have.


THE POWER

I witness emotions
on a daily basis.
Grief, worry, anger, acceptance.
It is always a process; a struggle at times.

I am at awe of how so many do cope.
They have come to terms; to acceptance quite often;
as I frequently hear,
          "It is what it is".

One doesn't realize the power of emotions
until it hits one personally and then they truly know.
They feel the tremendous strength overpowering them.
Unable to think clearly about anything else.

She was driving home after Christmas
when symptoms suddenly appeared.
Light headedness, heart racing, feeling flushed.
Stopping at a Rest Stop waiting for it to subside.

They did settle down some, but didn't fully disappear.
Her friend came and drove her the four hours to home.
She spent eight hours yesterday in the ER.
Final outcome, "All test results are normal."

I spoke with her multiple times on the phone.
I so wanted; and needed; to be with her,
but she said, "All is okay. I am going to be fine."
She was coping so much better than I.

I'll call her later today.
We will laugh like we always do.
I so love her with all of my heart.
This is a reminder of how quickly
all of that could be
          so suddenly gone.