PRIORITY

“Jacob” was admitted to our hospice program today.  We met with him and his two children at the Residential Care Facility where he resides.  He was doing well until a few weeks ago when he spent a few days in the hospital secondary to being short of breath.  Jacob now wears oxygen continuously.  He can no longer walk using his walker, but is wheelchair bound. 

 

Jacob totally has accepted his status as focuses on what he can do.  Jacob has always done life what he sees as the best way for him, with structure and clarity.  Now that this health has strongly impacted him, his priorities have changed in a good way.  So often rules limit us.  Jacob now follows new guidelines, which give him flexibility and the ability to do things in a way that bring him joy and peace.  Way to go Jacob! 

PRIORITY 

 

 

He has lived his life his own way; 

by always choosing a healthy route. 

He became diabetic at an early age; 

so, eating sugar-free became a priority. 

 

He was an accountant at a bank; 

flourishing with order, balance and precision. 

He saw life so clearly in a precise, structured way. 

It has worked successfully for him as 

he recently turned one hundred years old. 

 

He was in the Navy during WWII; 

serving on the USS Nereus Naval Vessel. 

So coincidently, my husband served in Vietnam 

                    on the same USS Navy Vessel. 

 

Now that he has lived one hundred years, 

his priorities have shifted a bit. 

He no longer is focused on eating so healthy, 

but enjoying life without those boundaries. 

 

When asked what his priority is these days; 

he will strongly state; without hesitation; 

sleep, hygiene 

                    and chocolate ice cream. 

 

I would not be surprised if next year; 

while eating his favorite ice cream; 

he will celebrate turning  

                    one hundred and one years old.