| What is letting go as your loved one dies? |
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ARTICLE SUMMARY Bertha lay in the nursing home bed, in a coma-like state. She had not responded for weeks, and the doctors knew she did not have long to live. All the family surrounded her, except her grandson, the black sheep of the family. He was her favorite, but the prison was reluctant to release him. After many pleas the prison released him temporarily to see her. When he walked into the room and spoke, she suddenly sat upright in the bed. Coming to her he hugged her, told her he loved her, and he would try to do better. She smiled, lay down in her bed and died peacefully. Letting go is the process of detachment from this world when facing death and dying
What is letting go as your loved one dies? FULL ARTICLE Bertha lay in the nursing home bed, in a coma-like state. She had not responded for weeks, and the doctors knew she did not have long to live. All the family surrounded her, except her grandson, the black sheep of the family. He was her favorite, but the prison was reluctant to release him. After many pleas the prison released him temporarily to see her. When he walked into the room and spoke, she suddenly sat upright in the bed. Coming to her he hugged her, told her he loved her, and he would try to do better. She smiled, lay down in her bed and died peacefully. Letting go is the process of detachment from this world, and it helps many patients to prepare for what lies ahead, When your loved one is facing death and dying and begins to detach from you, do not take it as rejection – it is a normal parting, from the family, parting from worldly attachments. And as such, is a normal part of the dying process. Dissolving from this life, surrendering to death and dying, your loved one is preparing for the journey ahead. It is acceptance by the patient knowing that their earthly life will soon be over. For those who are older and more fortunate than some to have lived a long life, this stage may be easier. Other patients may need to complete some tasks, or know that someone will do that for them. Still others may never come to this stage. You will need to meet your loved one in the state where they are, as they face death and dying. Acceptance by the patient facing their own death and dying leads to letting go. It is often necessary for those facing death and dying to let go of this life to prepare for the next life promised to all of us. Giving our loved one permission to ‘let go’ may be the gift they were looking for, to prepare for the final journey. |