GOOD CLOSURE

“Henry” , aged ninety-five, was admitted to our hospice program last summer due to lung disease. He was struggling a bit with breathing and, it was then, he started to use oxygen. Henry has been widowed for many years and has one daughter, “Cindy”. Cindy lives nearby and would visit her dad every day. Both of them embraced their relationship and so enjoyed seeing each other.

Henry was fairly stable throughout most of the time he was on our hospice program. I would call Cindy once a month to check it. It was always a fun telephone call as Cindy would share stories about her father. Cindy would also tell stories about her husband and two adult daughters. Cindy truly also loved her family. She learned all about unconditional love from her father.

It was hard on Cindy when the Nursing Facility started to not allow any visitors into their establishment. They were strongly following the Corona Virus precautions. When I would talk with Cindy, she would state understanding about not being able to visit, but it was, not surprisingly, very hard on her.

I heard today that her father died early this morning. After a death, I typically wait until the next day to call family to offer condolences as I know that they likely will be very busy on the phone with family and friends.

Henry’s hospice nurse asked me to call Cindy as she had questions on what to do and who to call upon someone’s death. I called Cindy and was so touched by what she had to say. Again, she had such an upbeat personality just like her father. He taught her well.


GOOD CLOSURE　

He turned ninety-five last Summer.
He's lived a good, long life.
He's been on hospice for almost a year.
Living his life in such an upbeat way.

He's resided in a Nursing Facility
for almost the last three years.
He loves his daughter so unconditionally.
She visits him faithfully every day.

Six weeks ago, all that changed.
The Corona Virus invaded our lives.
Families were no longer allowed to visit.
She could only see him from his outside window.

These past few weeks have been hard on her.
He’s been in a slow, but continuous decline.
He was eating less and sleeping more.
He no longer could get up to peek out his window.

He died peacefully in the early morning hours today.
It was definitely his perfect time to go.
I was concerned on how she was coping.
Age doesn’t matter at all when it is your father.

I called her to check in; to offer support.
She said, “I am doing great now.
I’ve been with dad these past three days
as the facility did allow me to be with him.”

The facility knew he was imminent.
They gave her the time to tell him goodbye.
To say “I love you dad” one more time.
          To give her “Good Closure.”