| What is Honor and Meaning at the End of Life? |
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ARTICLE SUMMARY Grandfather, lying in this casket a few feet away, was very close to me. As the crowd moved out of the room, I was left alone to spend my time saying goodbye to him. At 14 years old little did I know how big of an impact his death would have on me. When your loved one is dying it causes you to focus - causes you to think about what your life means and what you should be doing with it. There is no right way a wrong way in saying goodbye to a loved one, and in dealing with end-of-life issues What is honor and meaning at the end of life?
Be honest and open with each other at the end of life, and you will find your time together rewarding and meaningful. What is honor and meaning at the end of life? FULL ARTICLE Grandfather, lying in this casket a few feet away, was very close to me. As the crowd moved out of the room, I was left alone to spend my time saying goodbye to him. At 14 years old his death made a big impact on my life, but I was not aware of his impact at that time. Little did I know how big of an effect his death would have on me, and how it would alter my life forever. The end-of-life for a person you love causes you to focus - causes you to think about what your life means and what you should be doing with it. There is no right way a wrong way in saying goodbye to a loved one, and in dealing with end-of-life issues. The right way is the way that works for you, your family, your loved one, those who are facing the end-of-life I was asked to be a pall bearer at grandfather's funeral. And even at that young age, I recognize how important, what an honor this really was to be able to carry grandfather to his final resting place, meant so much to me. And I had never dreamed there was such a thing as honor and meaning at this time in a person's life. When grandfather's fighting unit from World War I showed up at the funeral they were assigned to carry grandfather's casket. Although I was disappointed, I was still elated having been chosen to start with - and this event set my life on a course ultimately toward hospice. Looking back now I realize how that one moment in my life would become my drive, would become my calling, would become my desire to take care of patients at the end-of-life. I believe it is an honor to care for people at this stage and believe it's an honor to be asked to care for people at this stage of life. I've had many staff meetings, where we all share the same message - that we are blessed to care for people at the end-of-life. Families invite us into their homes during these last days, weeks or months to help them journey through this phase, to help them gain meaning, to help them gain understanding, to help them deal with the pain, deal with the despair, the loneliness that comes at the end-of-life. To touch people with our heart is our goal. HELP is here for you caring for your loved one at the end of life. You are put in a position of trust by the one you care for – you are their connection to the outside world, and they are your connection to the end of life. You both will grow, suffer, and in the end be rewarded for this time, While it may not be possible at this time to see the rewards, many people who have been where you are right now have testified to this fact. There will be meaning found, and you will both be able to grow from this. Be honest and open with each other and you will find the remaining time together rewarding and meaningful. |