"K"

Eleanor, eighty-two, has suffered from lung disease for many years.  Eleanor was widowed twenty years ago.  She has been living alone since that time.  She is very independent and had been managing just fine.  That all changed a week ago when her lung disease hit her extremely hard.  She is now on continuous oxygen and bedridden.  She is eating very little.  Her biggest complaint is struggling to breathe; which leaves her very weak. 

Eleanor’s five children have rallied.  Four of them live nearby and are so supportive to her and to each other.  The family had the nurse and I laughing from the moment we walked in.  They all had such a great sense of humor.  Humor is such an amazing coping technique as it heartily takes the edge off.   

Eleanor was lying down in the back bedroom.  As we walked into her bedroom, she gave us the most beautiful and welcoming smile.  The moment I saw her, I so deeply knew that her children definitely got their humor from their mom. 

Eleanor did use a lot of humor to cope, but she also had her deeply, precious, serious side.  She spoke her truth about life and death.  She is such a beautiful soul.  Her humor side along with her serious side was such a gracious combination.  I know this family will be okay as they have such a close and supportive relationship with each other and their beautiful mother.

“K”

Eleanor was widowed twenty years ago.

Thus, she has learned to be independent

and thrive while living alone.

Able to do things totally her way.

 

That all changed one week ago.

Her lung disease hit her hard.

She has oxygen continuously,

but still struggles to breathe.

 

We met three of her five kids at the front door.

They so warmly welcomed us into their home.

They cutely joked while we walked in saying

that all their names begin with the letter K.

 

We walked into the back bedroom

where Eleanor was lying down.

She gave us the most beautiful smile;

Inviting us to please come on in.

 

She was as friendly as her children

as I am sure they got their humor from her.

“I understand your children’s names all start with a K.

Should I then call you Keleanor?”

 

She laughed so hard while repeating their names.

“If I had one more, I had a name already picked out.

I would have named him or her Kuits, with a K”,

causing hearty laughter in the bedroom.

 

Her mood then turned serious as she spoke her truth,

“I have no concerns. I am not afraid of death,

as I have told each of my five children;

With every teardrop, a dream will come true.”

 

She kindly said, as our visit came to an end,

“Thank you.  You have supported me so much.”

I couldn’t resist my parting words,

“It been a honor to be here with all of you,

               Kleanor”.