Creating space to pause, reflect and share experiences with dying and death

Gratitude

Gratitude

It’s an act of love

It’s an act of love

My grandson’s new wife, only 24, who has a very rare blood type received an urgent request. She donates blood regularly for herself and others with her rare type and always knows where her supply is kept. The request: have you ever thought of stem cell donation,

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A single bare lightbulb hung over the bed

A single bare lightbulb hung over the bed

12:30 am I stood in the bedroom of a sixty-four year old woman actively dying. Her 24 year old nephew and main caregiver by her side. Room was tiny and hot. A single bare lightbulb hung over the bed. A new family came and went by 2am.

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He was such a quiet, humble man

He was such a quiet, humble man

I remember everyone wondering how I coped so well after my father passed away two years ago, Some people openly commented about how strong I was, others just gave me fleeting looks of empathy and concern during a pause in our conversations. My apparent resilience made me

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The kindness bestowed upon me

The kindness bestowed upon me

The kindness bestowed upon me by another human being.

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He left an imprint on my life

He left an imprint on my life

Tony and his family – a vibrant 19 year old who loved his dog and his new car – who truly taught me how to “care’! He left an imprint on my life forever!

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Space to let the tears flow

Space to let the tears flow

Space to reflect, to let the tears flow, to let go. We run so hard all day long on the job, caring for our ones near the end-of-life. How healing to take this time out here today for me!

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If I had known then, what I know now

If I had known then, what I know now

The difference in how my father was looked after when dying 25 years ago and the care of my mother last year in hospice. Now it is known as Palliative Care. I thank you — all who have been instrumental in moving us forward in this model

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It’s hard watching people die for a living

It’s hard watching people die for a living

The moment it occurred to me that it’s hard watching people die for a living, but a beautiful thing watching them live right until they die.

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I felt so privileged

I felt so privileged

Caring for a coworker as she was dying. I felt so privileged that someone whom I had worked along side for many years would trust me enough to allow me to be a part of her final journey. Thank you Carol.

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I honour you and hold you in the light

I honour you and hold you in the light

Sherry, Cody, Justin, French, Ashley… So young to be taken from this earth with endocarditis, an infectious complication of your suffering from addiction to prescription opioids. Today I honour you and hold you in the light. Thank you for sharing with me, teaching me, trusting me. I

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