Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Dying Well
She had not responded all day to her family or friends. Her daughter was reading her Psalms and singing hymns to her while holding her hand. At one time, she squeezed her daughter's hand and her breathing changed at that moment. Within five minutes time she was gone but as she left she got the most incredible smile on her face...a smile that seemed to say, "oh there you are!". A light also shown on her face as her features relaxed and her body went limp. It was the most beautiful death I have ever witnessed.
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14 comments:
How very lovely. It really does make you wonder if her loved ones who passed before her had come to welcome her back.
It's wonderful that you do the work you do, and that you share it here because so many people are terrified of death, as if it were contagious.
Our culture needs to realize that it is a natural part of life, and that it can be beautiful as you've portrayed.
sad though. i have to commend you for what you do for a living. my grandmother died 3 years ago and the hospice nurses were so nice to her. i don't know how ya'll do it. by the way, thanks for linking me.. i'll do the same! :)
Hearts in San Fran: We really do need as a culture to realize the natural process of dying...it's equivalent to being born and can be just as beautiful!
Mindy: It is my privilege to be able to share this time with families and be able to help in some way...thanks for linking to me!
I don't know if it's fate that lead you to my blog...but I tend to think so. My Mom's currently dying in hospice of inoperable brain cancer. It's horrendous to watch someone you love die this way. Hospice workers are, by far, the best people on earth. To lovingly do the job they do....I can't imagine. I'm so grateful that Mom is in there (The SA Rotary Hospice) - a new facility here. As painful as this ordeal is, it's comforting to know someone's caring for Mom when we go home.
I like you already. ;)
Robin, that's beautiful. One of our co-workers died two weeks ago. Her daughter is a nurse, and she was holding her Mom's hand when she passed away. Her Mom turned over and dozed off, really peacefully.
Thank you for sharing that with us.
Josie
Deb: My heart goes out to you...if you ever need an ear please feel free to email me (smilinnurse2003@yahoo.com).
Josie: That was a lovely way to die also...slipping away peacefully.
wow.
my grandma died at home and it seemed to be peaceful for her...just quietly slipping away...in fact, she called out to her mother.
I hope I go like that.
I can't even phathom going through that. I missed my father-in-laws death by 5 minutes. But I would think that that is definatly the only way to go, at peace with a smile on your face.
Thank you so much for dropping by. Her name is Susan.
That was beautiful....
When my ex's father passed at home, we were saying the Lord's Prayer and he passed with perfect timing at the "amen" at the end and he look so peaceful. Of course, we all started crying. Then, my ex's mother looked up and said, "Oh Ronnie, I am so sorry...your dad just died on your birthday." To which he responded, "So did grandpa and the space shuttle blew up too." For some reason, we all laughed. It was one of the best laughs I have ever had.
Marvellous, Robin - very moving indeed, and strangely a moment of hope for us all.
A
xxx
death does not have to be an awful tragic thing, but a great culmination to a beautiful life. thanks for sharing this.
Robin,
I used to work as a nurses aide and have also seen some beautiful deaths.
I am tagging you with a meme. For more info follow: http://lisavella.blogspot.com/2007/04/back-in-saddle-again.html
Thanks for being a faithful reader!
I'm looking forward to your meme!
Thank you everyone for posting...I am priveleged to see a lot of beautiful things at Hospice. I enjoyed reading about some of your experiences as well!
Wow! When I die, I want to be there to see it. I mean, not drugged up or unconsious. Dying is the ultimate trip. And I mean that in all seriousness.
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