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Thank you for your kind words. I am sorrowed to hear about your son in law’s mother.
My father took his final breaths early this morning. It was peaceful and dignified in his own home with my mother and myself at side.
May all of us pass with such grace.
To quote my sister (who happens to be a solitary Kitchen Witch), “Welcome to Deathwatch 2022!”
Our father is at the crossroads of this life and the hereafter. He had his last meal Wednesday night (chicken wings and potato salad), and went unresponsive shortly thereafter. Now we’re waiting with him.
(My sister and I have an odd sense of humor)
Depending on the age and health of your tree (and climate, planting zone …), I like to bring gifts that promote the trees’ wellbeing. Maybe some fertilizer or water if you’re in a drought, or even a companion plant if your tree looks a little lonely. (I’ve been known to sit under my magnolia tree in my backyard and just converse.) Sometimes your tree may need some trimming and culling of dead branches, so give the gift of beauty for him. If there are creatures in the tree, maybe some birdseed or safe material for nesting purposes.
Other times, there’s nothing better than a hug … if you’re not allergic. That said, my birth tree is the Ivy and a lot of times my gift is finding appropriate places for the plant to crawl and climb. “You can go HERE my friend, not over there. You have all the ugly wrought iron to climb. Go to town on that.”
It’s interesting you say the word “transition”. We use that term in palliative care for patients who have begun the dying process. And I’ve been curious how much of a role I’m expected to have when Death arrives for him. I’d prefer to just be his daughter at that point. But, we shall see.
Something new for me to research on my off days! I’ll definitely bring it up to him, since he’s expressed interest in Cherokee spirituality before. Thanks.
I’m of the opinion that there is something more out there — I’m just hesitant to put a label to it. That being said, Death is a deity to me and I do believe there is something beyond when we leave this physical world. (…says the hospice nurse …)
Absolutely!
I read that author’s dissertation back when I first started in Hospice. Very well done and very needed in a culture that still sees Death as taboo or the enemy. Our facility has a remarkable Death Doula to help the patient’s families navigate what’s going on. She translates all the medical and nursing lingo for them.
Hello!
I’ve posted a couple of times before in this forum so I guess it’s time to introduce myself. I’m in the United States (for now … some of those international travel nurse contracts look mighty tempting) and I work as a hospice nurse in a freestanding facility. Hence, my name.
I love my job as a nurse in Hospice. It’s a big honor to help patients have a dignified and sacred passing. We don’t do aggressive therapies, just comfort and old-fashioned care. And the good drugs. Can’t forget that.
On the flip side, I love to garden and work the land. It’s a nice little contrast. After being surrounded for twelve hours by those close to the hereafter, I get to help and watch green things grow and live. I have vegetables, herbs, and flowers. And fruit trees! There’s something soothing about being sun-kissed with dirt under your nails.
My ancestry is Celtic and Germanic, and considering my line of work, it’d be another honor to live and learn as my ancestors did. But I wanted a course that was more hands on and less academic. Truthfully, I ‘d rather be in my garden then write papers. That being said, Prost! (Cheers in German!)
