HER WAY

On Friday, three days ago, we admitted “Rita”, ninety-eight to hospice.   Rita was recently admitted into a Skilled Nursing Facility as she was quickly becoming weaker and needing help with all of her needs.  Rita appeared imminent when we admitted her.  She was in a deep sleep with rapid breathing.  She had stopped eating and was only drinking sips of water. 

The hospice nurse and I met with Rita’s daughter, “Stephanie”, in a sitting room to complete the hospice admission paperwork.  Stephanie easily verbalized her emotions, stress and grief.  She was realistic regarding her mother’s poor prognosis.  She shared many stories about her mom.  “Mom was always so organized and competent.”  Stephanie was not surprised at all at how her mother was handling her rapid decline.  Rita always thought of others in such a heartfelt way.  On the other hand, she did life her way which helped her remain so independent for so many years. 

Stephanie said that on Saturday, she and her husband were driving to the Skilled Nursing Facility to visit Mom.  As they pulled their vehicle into the parking spot, they got a call from the nurse that mom had just died.  Rita knows that her mom waited until they arrived.  Mom was still, and always being a Mom, continued to do things her way.  Mom’s last decision on Earth, was to protect her daughter. 

Stephanie shared that this past month has been so hard, but it also gives her and her family such comfort and peace knowing Mom did it all; “Her Way”. 

HER WAY

 

We admitted her to hospice late Friday.

By Saturday, she was gone.

She was a strong, vibrant woman.

Living ninety-eight years; her way.

 

She had been living alone until two years ago.

It was then she moved into Assisted Living.

Then, last week, to skilled nursing

as her needs were quickly increasing.

 

Mom’s final decline came swiftly.

She was hardly eating much at all.

Maybe a small bit of a chocolate milkshake or;

two to three sips of water at best.

 

Her daughter was so realistic.

She knew her time wouldn’t be long.

It was hard to say goodbye,

but seeing her so peaceful,

               allowed her to easily let go.

 

I called her daughter this morning.

“I am doing fine today.

I was a mess on Saturday,

but, I will do it my way;

               one thing at a time.”

 

“She went quickly on her time.

She wasn’t in any pain or discomfort.

She did it her way.

She left in an efficient time.”

 

“We all feel good;

 We all feel comfort;

knowing she did it her way;

                    definitely her way.”