LIKE FATHER

I first met “Cody”, twenty years old, six days ago when I visited the family to educate all of them about hospice and its philosophy and support.  His father, “Keith”, suffers from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and was just diagnosed a few months ago.  Keith’s decline has been continuous, although much more dramatic this past week.  

Cody attends college down south.  He is staying with his parents and two sisters for the duration of his father’s illness.    Meeting Keith was amazing.  He is realistic regarding his disease and how it is impacting himself and his family.  Keith’s first focus was on his family and their needs.  

I felt such unconditional love in the home.  Keith’s wife, “Jennie”, was so very focused on her husband’s needs and how her children are coping; while putting her needs on the back burner. 

Today, the hospice nurse and I went out to admit Keith to hospice.  He is so weak and has stopped eating and drinking.  He has told his wife, “I am ready to go”.  A lot of extended family is visiting from out of state giving Keith, and each other, wonderful love and support. 

 There were about eight people in the home today.  One can so deeply feel the unconditional love.  I was able to spend about ten minutes with Cody counseling him on his grief.  It so melted my heart as he so wanted to hear all that I had to say.  He definitely has his mother’s love and his father’s wisdom.  

This family will definitely be sad for a while, but their love will help all of them move on with Keith’s legacy surrounding them forever more.

LIKE FATHER 

 

Just turning twenty a few months back;

he is tall and neatly groomed.

Polite, quiet-spoken and caring;

                    just like his father.

 

He is in his second year of college;

attending school down south.

He wants to become an architect;

                    just like his father.

 

Dad’s disease has hit him so very hard.

The diagnosis was only five months ago.

He is no longer eating or drinking.

“I know it is now only time.”

 

“I worry about my mother.

How can I ease my two sister’s pain?”

He wants to take care of all of them.

Is he instinctively now,

                    “The man of the house?

 

He will grieve the loss of his father quietly;

while making sure everyone else is doing okay.

He will head south to return to school knowing that,

“This is what my father would want.”

 

He’ll live his life his way while

continuing to look out for his family.

I know no one will be surprised at all

as this is who he truly is.

                    Like father, like son.