Beauty in Death

When I first applied to work at an Assisted Living Facility, I was focused on two things: 1) the job would give me healthcare experience for PA programs, and 2) it would pay enough to start combatting my student loans. After talking with a former employee and listening to Becca's stories about working as a CNA, I was prepared to deal with poop, stories that started with, "when I was your age...," helping people get dressed, etc. The thing I was not prepared for was death, and how quickly a person can go from doing their own laundry to being bed ridden. Thinking back, I find it really strange that I didn't consider that the residents I work with may die. In my first month or so at work, 7 residents passed away. At that point, I wasn't too connected with the residents who passed - I did not work with them closely or did not form a relationship with them. I sympathized with the families who lost a loved one, and the other caregivers who really knew them, but the deaths didn't really effect me.

Now that I've worked for almost 4 months, I've built relationships with the patients, and some of them are very close. One of the ladies I worked with (let's call her Daisy) recently passed away and her death hit me pretty hard. I worked closely with the nursing staff the first day Daisy started hospice care and was amazed by how they thought of every detail to ensure that Daisy's pain was minimal and she was comfortable. Daisy passed away 4 days later and I am so thankful that I listened to my heart and visited her during my lunch break on Saturday, instead of waiting until after work (she passed away a few minutes before my shift ended). Daisy found her way into my heart because she enjoyed life and thought everyone was beautiful and wasn't afraid to tell them.

Daisy reminded me why my work is valuable and worth dealing with the poop explosions, inappropriate comments and other frustrations at work. When life happens and one of our residents is nearing the end of his/her journey, I have the opportunity to provide peace to a family by taking care of their loved one. Hospice is beautiful, and I never thought about it before. Daisy passed away peacefully surrounded by family and staff that loved her. This is the highlight of my job. I am praising God for the gift of life and the people who come into my life, if only for a brief amount of time. All interactions are purposeful, whether we realize it are not.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. 

I do not give to you as the world gives. 

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

 John 14:27 

She loved the color pink :)