“Lily”, who will be ninety years old in two months, was admitted to hospice today. Lily lives with her daughter, “Joy”, in a small house way out in the country. Our area suffered a major rainstorm yesterday leaving many places without electricity. When the nurse and I walked into their home, it was freezing as they were without power. Lily was lying in her bed under layers of blankets. The first thing she said to us was, “I am so warm and cozy here in my bed.”
Lily was such a cutie pie. She smiled so easily with us. Lily and her daughter, Joy, wanted us to be comfortable. There was one comfy chair in Lily’s bedroom which her large orange cat, named Cheddar, was sitting in. They wanted to get the cat off the chair so we could sit down. We said we were fine standing as we are up and down all day. Cheddar stayed on the chair which made all of us laugh at how, “Cheddar won”.
Lily spoke about her life; the good and the bad. She sees life as “It is what it is”; good or bad. She strongly believes we all have love and loss in our life. She totally accepts life as it is without complaint or regrets. She would speak very “matter-of-fact”. She told us that five months ago, she and Joy were both diagnosed with COVID-19. Lily went to the emergency room and was able to recuperate at home. Joy was admitted and was on life supports in the ICU. While Lily and Joy were sharing this story, it was so realistic and matter-of-fact. They had no regrets or “Why me?” thoughts. The both have had so many losses in their life. Lily’s two sons died years ago; one from cancer and one in a motor vehicle accident.
Lily has four great-great
granddaughters. She spoke of her family,
too, as matter-of-fact. Totally
accepting and embracing her family while accepting her excess baggage too. Lily was amazing. She has taught her children, grandchildren,
great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren well. Way to go Lily!!!
EXCESS BAGGAGE
She has such a remarkable family
who all unconditionally love
her.
Four generations of offspring
who all live nearby and come
around.
She has truly lived her life
fully;
appreciating and accepting of
what is.
She has had a challenging
life though;
carrying more than her share
of
excess baggage.
She was diagnosed with cancer
two weeks ago.
She declined any treatment
options stating,
“I am almost ninety years
old.
There is not much left for me to do.”
She has been widowed three
times.
Two of her three children
have already died.
She almost lost her daughter
last summer.
Her road has been long and
rocky.
Eating makes her nauseous;
she gets dizzy standing up.
She stays calm and totally
accepts.
Happy to be lying warmly in
her bed.
When asked if she had any
fears,
she calmly replied,
“I am not afraid, although
it’s not easy.
When it is my time to go, it
is my time.”
Loss to her, is just a part
of life;
as is love, support and
kindness.
She accepts each day as it comes
never ever seeing it as
excess baggage.
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