Monday, January 21, 2013

a quiet silence

"a dying man needs to die,
as a sleepy man needs to sleep,
and there comes a time 
when it is wrong,
as well as useless,
to resist"
-stewart alsop


i have been quiet this past week. will most likely continue to be so for a few more days. it has been difficult for me to sit and stitch or to contemplate words to share. my favorite resident at the cottage fell gravely ill last week and the prognosis is ominous. three days ago she was placed on comfort care, which means medical treatment has been withdrawn and efforts are made to keep her as comfortable as possible as she enters the process of dying. it is always difficult when these dearly loved elders enter this process. it is especially so with this one...

namaste'

12 comments:

  1. Hugs and thoughts of comfort to you during this time of passage of another person at the end of her life here on earth. Glad she has such caring people around her now.

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  2. I will send strength and courage on the smoke for you. It is my Native way to pray.
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  3. My thoughts and prayers are with you gentle Joe...

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  4. Letting go is always hard. Whatever our philosophy of living, the absolute nature of dying is hard to accept. She is lucky to have had your caring heart supporting her whilst she has been at the cottage Joe. You cannot give her more than you have done, take comfort in that ...

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  5. Dear Joe,
    May you be given comfort and strength to see your friend through her final days here. She is truly blessed to have you by her side.
    Love and Blessings,
    Cheryl

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  6. I am sorry to hear your sad news, Joe. I agree that she is lucky to have you near during her final days.

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  7. Joe, you have chosen such a difficult calling to care for the old folk. Such a very important job and so difficult at times like this. My thoughts are with you and with your favourite elder who is gently letting go.

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  8. Dear Joe,
    That time of transition is so challenging for those of us who stay behind. Prayers for a smooth, gentle time of ease for your friend, and for you my heartfelt prayers for peace and comfort to your spirit as you release your friend to a new place in the journey of life.
    Peace, blessings...Namaste
    Kristin

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  9. Hoping you find some comfort somewhere in this sad time. I just got back from visiting my neighbour in the hospital five minutes ago and was feeling blue. He is over 80 and works up high in the mountains clearing brush cutting trees with his son and grandson in their family business. He was working up until four days ago. He wants to be up int he mountain not in that hospital bed. Take care buddy,
    bryan

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  10. thank you. everyone. you have been most kind and a continued gentle comfort!

    namaste'

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