“George” suffered from lung cancer. Due to life experiences, he became realistic and handled life with courage and strength. He experienced some horrific moments. His wife admired him as he was aware of each experience and, in order to survive, knew what to do.
So often, one’s illness grabs all of one's attention. It engulfs each day. I love it when families tell stories as each one of us has one. Those life stories are our legacy; not our illness.
HIS LEGACY
He has had lung cancer for over four years.
He had been doing well until this past week.
He became bedridden and eating very little.
It was then a hospice referral was made.
The hospice nurse went out in the evening.
She knew he didn’t have long.
He was in a deep sleep and looked comfortable.
Twenty minutes after she left, he was gone.
His wife knew he would do it his way
as that is how he has always lived his life.
Once he knew hospice was there to support her,
he then felt comfortable letting go.
She spoke about his life and his struggles.
He was born in Poland during the Holocaust.
At one month old, his family, for days,
rode a cattle car ending in Siberia.
“Experiencing that horrific time, he became tough.
He has always handled life realistically with strength.
I have always been so proud of his courage.
He waited for me to walk out of his room, then let go.”
“With my children around, I am doing okay.
I know he was ready; it was his time.
I am from a large family experiencing many losses.
I am well practiced with grief.”
“His illness recently grabbed all our attention,
but he is so much more than his diagnosis.
He is his life; his experiences; his strength.
That is his legacy which will last
forever.”
