TIMING

I was asked this morning to call a patient's daughter, whose father had died hours before our hospice admission team was scheduled to arrive to open him to our program. Upon her father's death, his daughter, "Jill", called to cancel the visit.

I found out after my call that the patient had died two weeks ago. When talking with Jill, I had mistakenly assumed her father had died within one to days ago. The Admission staff said that they kept wanting to ask me to call her, but it had been so busy so they kept waiting until things slowed down a bit; which was today.

I called the daughter and she immediately started to talk about her father. She shared that her sister had died ten years ago. It was then that she was given a book about the grieving process. She said that booked has helped her so much with her sister's, and now her father's death.

Her father was a very independent, strong person and did not want strangers in the house. She felt he let go before hospice came out as he was always wanting to do things for himself. I spoke with Jill about how patients do let go when the time is right for them. I told her that I could share so many instances about other patients.

She told me stories about her father and her family. Her family was full of so much love and caring for their father and for each other. She so appreciated my call and said that it helped her so much.

It made me think about the timing of my call. The initial goal was to call her two weeks ago, but calling her today was the perfect time. Her father's timing of his death was also perfect for him. Spirituality is such a huge part of hospice which is why I feel so honored to be a part of something so amazing and pure.


TIMING　

They wanted me to call her two weeks ago.
They knew she was so sad.
They were waiting until it wasn't so busy,
so I just heard about it today.

I called her early this afternoon.
She was so eager to talk.
She spoke about her father; her family;
sharing wonderful stories about absolute love.

She and her sister were by his side
knowing it wouldn't be long.
She left to make a quick phone call,
then felt a strong urge to go back.

She hurriedly walked to her father's side
when he peacefully took one final breath.
She knew he was waiting for her to be there;
still being a dad; a husband; a grandpa.

I actively listened while validating her grief;
feeling a strong spiritual connection.
"You called me at the perfect time
          as I so needed to talk."

The spiritual voice from above
guides us to where we can naturally flow.
We will travel our journey perfectly.
As in this case,
          timing was everything.