CELEBRATION

Our entire family came together this past weekend, to have a Celebration of Life for my brother, Bob.  He had been sick for several years.   It was a bit of a relief when he let go, as his suffering was finally over.  What gives me peace was what one of his sons witnessed as he took his last breath; “He had an amazing smile on his face.”  I would like to think that he saw the other side.    

About 40 of us gathered at my niece’s home.  I had not seen many of them for years as they lived away.  It did not matter, as we all just beautifully and genuinely hugged each other.  We all were blessed to be there to celebrate my brother’s life.  There is nothing better than unconditional love.  Thank you guys; all of you. 

CELEBRATION 

 

 

He was a son, a father, and a brother. 

He was also a husband and a grandpa too. 

We all came together this weekend 

to celebrate his embracing, loving heart. 

 

He has been gone several months now, 

but the deep grief and pain did materialize again. 

He was so much more than his illness, 

but it was that disability that did him in. 

 

Our family immediately came together; 

like we all were together just yesterday. 

Laughing and crying through tears, 

we all had beautiful stories to share. 

 

We were strongly celebrating who he was; 

his caring heart and his hard work. 

He loved us all unconditionally. 

There was never any doubt. 

 

Life, for all of us, does have an ending, 

but it so quickly can come too soon. 

He taught us all about goodness; about heart. 

That so truly is who he naturally was.   

 

We all so strongly and deeply know, 

he will continue to be nearby us for eternity. 

While we all are grateful for his loving presence,  

he also taught all of us to forever celebrate  

                         our amazing family. 

WHY?

 “Nick”, seventy-two, suffers from a brain disease that has left him unable to speak. He walked into our office lobby, unannounced, this afternoon.  Along with Hospice, we also have a Palliative Care Program.  Nick was asking about the referral his doctor made about two weeks ago.  Our admitting staff called him and left a voice message; not knowing he was unable to call back.  He likely thought it would be better to come in person, then we would all be able to communicate clearly with each other.  

Nick has so much patience regarding his need to write down his thoughts. I spent almost an hour with him and feel blessed to have done so.   Thank you, Nick. 

WHY? 

 

He walked into our lobby unannounced 

asking about his Palliative Care referral. 

Admitting had left him a voice message two weeks ago, 

but they never heard back from him. 

 

He suffers from a brain disease 

which has left him unable to speak. 

He writes his thoughts on a small pad, 

that easily erases with a push on a button. 

 

He spoke about his son, whom they adopted at birth. 

He was intensely handicapped, and they loved him so. 

While sharing a photo of his son smiling brightly; 

he then added that his son was on our hospice three years ago. 

 

Suddenly, I totally remembered everything about it all. 

His love for his son; his love for his wife with dementia. 

“I visited your home three times at least.” 

While smiling, he slowly nodded his head up and down. 

 

He looked so different as he has lost so much weight, 

but I so strongly remember his loving heart. 

He was so dedicated in caring for his wife and his son. 

She now resides in a Memory Care Unit. 

 

I am a strong believer in “What goes around, comes around”. 

“Why does he have to suffer disabilities; impairments?” 

He has an unconditionally loving heart; a caring soul. 

But then, he too has a large network of friends that surround him. 

 

He has a challenging future ahead of him. 

He is also blessed to have support nearby. 

But then I still can’t understand; 

                   as will continue to question, 

                                        “Why?”