We admitted “Jacob”, ninety years old, to hospice today. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease six years ago. The hospice nurse and I met with his wife, “Paula” and their daughter, “Jennie”. We all sat around their kitchen table. Paula started telling wonderful family stories wanting us to get to know her husband and who he truly was. She then spoke of her family history. She was gifted in sharing stories as her wording was so descriptive.
When she started to share her family story, we all were amazed of the coincidences. It so strongly connected us with each other. She used a lot of humor as she spoke, which was fantastic. Her daughter answered the door when we knocked. She kindly shared, “I am a social worker too”. Are these coincidences or signs from above? I so deeply think the latter.
SAN FRANCISCO
He has had dementia for years.
He was stable for quite a while,
but these past four weeks,
“He has gone downhill”.
The family is so aware
that his time is coming soon.
His wife shared family history and stories
about the wonderful man he truly was.
She then happily stated,
“I was born in San Francisco”.
I amazingly responded,
“I was born in San Francsico too.”
“I grew up Catholic in the Tenderloin”.
My response, “I grew up Catholic too.”
She then shared, “We often went to St. Anthony’s,
a dining hall for the homeless.”
I surprisingly stated in return,
“My grandfather was one of the founders.”
“We were married sixty-one years ago
in St. Boniface Catholic Church.”
“My parents were married there as well;
about twenty years before you.”
She showed me a photo of them
standing in front of the altar.
Not surprisingly, I have one,
so very similar of my parents too.
As I was leaving, I passed a shelf full of
San Francisco 49er souvenirs.
I then showed her my Apple phone 49er cover.
“Wow! I need to get one of those!”
Both of us, always and forever,
San Franciscans!
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