I BELIEVE

In the past two days, I have done three hospice admissions with such similarity. All three were men near 80 years old. All three had strong spiritual beliefs about life and death. All had recent diagnoses of terminal status. All three men will likely die within the next month. I was in awe of how each of them accepted their fate with such spirit; such grace.

All were loving and appreciative of their family and friends that surrounded them. They each had such a positive look on life, while accepting their death. I was in awe and so amazed at how graciously each of them lived their life; using similar tools to help them cope so beautifully.

I feel honored to have witnessed such grace these past two days. Each of them has taught me about love and acceptance in an awesome way. Thank you to each of them.


I BELIEVE　

These past two days,
I have met three amazing men;
with similar backgrounds, similar beliefs.
All adjusting to a recent, poor prognosis.

His kidneys have failed; he says no to dialysis.
Without it, he only has a few short weeks.
He is very practical; he's realistic.
He knows what he is facing next.

"I'm now waiting for my time to come.
I've tried to live a clean life.
I read my bible twice each day.
          I believe in it!"

My next patient's lungs are fading fast.
His wife sees his daily decline.
He is getting weaker; needing more help.
He doesn't have much time.

He has accepted what is to come.
"The end is closer than it was.
I am resigned to it.
          I believe in God!"

My third patient was diagnosed two days ago.
There is no treatment; no cure.
He was given only a few weeks more.
Family says, "He is at peace about going."

All have such strong spiritual responses
while seeing life as a gift to embrace.
Acceptance, love, appreciation of what is;
acknowledging that their work is now done
          as all three graciously and strongly believe.