THANK YOU

We, as hospice workers, often get asked, “How can you do hospice work?”  Yes, there ae moments when we all have sad times, but the rewards are profound.  We often get thanked for just doing what we are doing.  Hospice’s goal is to support the patient and family to do things their way.  So truthfully, we get it back a thousand-fold.  We are so blessed to do what we have all been led to do.  We hear “Thank you” frequently.  But then, we too, say “Thank you” just as frequently.  That is the beauty of hospice. 

THANK YOU  

 

We, as hospice workers, 

hear “Thank you” so frequently. 

That is the reward and the benefit 

as we so want to thank them as well. 

 

They have welcomed us into their home. 

They so appreciate the support; the validation. 

They are in charge of the care plan; not us. 

“Please let us know how we can help”. 

 

Our agency also has an online website. 

We receive many calls from folks 

asking about community resources 

or help with caring for a loved one. 

 

She called asking for guidance 

caring for her elderly parents. 

She is from a very large family 

who all have strong ideas about what to do. 

 

I actively listened to what she had to say. 

I gave guidance while praising her thoughts. 

I validated and normalized her grief. 

I spoke about useful options. 

 

At the end of our talk, she gracefully said, 

“You have helped me so much. 

You said the perfect words. 

You allowed me to say what I needed to say”. 

 

Her final words brought tears to my eyes 

as they were so deep coming from her heart. 

She softly ended by saying, ‘You are an angel”. 

I then quietly and humbly replied, 

                         “Thank you”.