I need to share this. I had a patient with end stage cancer. He was already on comfort care (this is a type of nursing care given to those who are close to dying from a terminal illness). He would drift in and out of consciousness while his family was around him. He was a good man and father, having raised nine children in the Philippines.
He was at death's door and struggling. You could tell he was hanging on- his fist was raised and clinched as his breathing came in irregular bursts. His eyes were open but glazed and unfocused.
Suddenly his youngest daughter came forward and said we all needed to pray. We held hands and she prayed. Then she went to her father, held his hand and said "Daddy, we'll be OK. You go to the light. You see the face of Jesus and go to him". At the exact moment she said this, he let go and passed away.
I have seen a lot of death and many people die in front of me, but what I witnessed in that room last night was one of the most beutiful and natural things I have ever seen. You see, I did not know that seeing someone die could ever be described as beutiful, but that's what it was. And holy. The feeling that something holy had taken place was very strong.
I was blessed to have witnessed and been a part of something profound and I know it has made an imprint upon my heart forever.
He was at death's door and struggling. You could tell he was hanging on- his fist was raised and clinched as his breathing came in irregular bursts. His eyes were open but glazed and unfocused.
Suddenly his youngest daughter came forward and said we all needed to pray. We held hands and she prayed. Then she went to her father, held his hand and said "Daddy, we'll be OK. You go to the light. You see the face of Jesus and go to him". At the exact moment she said this, he let go and passed away.
I have seen a lot of death and many people die in front of me, but what I witnessed in that room last night was one of the most beutiful and natural things I have ever seen. You see, I did not know that seeing someone die could ever be described as beutiful, but that's what it was. And holy. The feeling that something holy had taken place was very strong.
I was blessed to have witnessed and been a part of something profound and I know it has made an imprint upon my heart forever.
