My Candle is Burning

Wednesday, June 4, 2014….Summer-e out there!  Muggy and hot and I love it!

Today one of Residents, who will turn 107 in the fall, was very quiet…sitting alone in her wheelchair, off by herself.  Normally she is cruising up and down the halls chatting with everyone.  I sat next other (she is VERY hard of hearing and asked how she was.  She waited a minute and said, "I am very sad today, I learned that I am blind."  I felt terrible for her and asked her if she had been to the Dr. and she said no.  So I asked her, how did she know she was Blind and she started chuckling and said, "cause I can't see a thing!"  OMG OMG OMG I selfishly want her to live forever.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014…another hot and muggy day…yea!

Yesterday I was told when I arrived at work that my Led Zeppelin loving Patient, "J" was transitioning.  No surprise but I am never ready.  When I get complacent about Death, then I am in the wrong place, personally and I am not doing my work properly.  The Patient's Brother came to me and introduced himself and thanked me, on behalf of the Family for spending so much time with him and in particular, playing "Stairway to Heaven" for him last week.  As the word spread, many Residents needed lost of hugs and conversation.  One Resident told me he had just shook his hand earlier and patted his shoulder.  I reminded him that it was time well spent and I am sure it made a difference to him.  He just smiled at me…..still so hard to accept.

When I got home I played my Singing Bowl, lit my candle for him and meditated for a while.  Poor Tad, when he comes home and asks, "how was your day", I always bombard him with events good and bad, and he always listens.  He is my rock, my humor, my "back to normal".

This morning as I was drinking my coffee, I received an email from another Facility where my peeps are….Mr. A passed away early this morning.  I almost typed, "he was my favorite" but I really love them all and it's difficult to let any of them go.

On a happier note, my Companion has been doing wonderfully all week and very responsive to Music. Lots of smiles and foot tapping.  She is my ray of sunshine when I start to feel down…what she endures each hour is hard to imagine.  So my Candle is burning for Mr. A...