“A One Word Miracle”
Hospice For Utah would like to share a story from one of the exceptional families we are continually honored to serve. We hope that the strength and beauty of this experience can help to comfort and inspire others in similar situations.
I sat deep in thought considering whether or not to put my dear John in a nursing facility. Could I continue to care for him on my own? It had been three full years since he had even said my name. It just felt like it was too much.
The hardest part of giving him care was the fact that he probably didn’t even know it was me. Would it even make a difference to him if someone else were providing his care?
These thoughts pressed upon my mind as we drove our customary trip around the Alpine Loop. It was a weekly tradition for us, a time to enjoy the beauty of nature and get out of the house. But today all I could think was, “How could I possibly get John out of the car even one more time?” The thought itself weakened me. Our hour long vacation ended all too quickly and the task was upon me again. Pulling into the garage I offered a silent prayer for enough strength to get John out of the vehicle and into the house. As I opened the door, John slid out of his seat and onto the garage floor. Tears freely flowed as I embraced him there on the floor. I remembered the sweeter days of our life when he was my strength, my support, my sweet companion – able to share in the day to day experiences of life in conversation and love. As I lay there pleading within myself for the strength to get him up and into the house, it happened. “Lydia” he whispered. My sweet John had once again said my name. At that moment an immediate strength came to me as I realized he had known all along who was caring for him. That was all I needed to lift my husband and my spirits, the knowledge that he was still there with me.
With much love and assistance from Hospice For Utah, I was able to care for John the last two months of his life. I had a renewed appreciation for life and a comfort that my John knew me and loved me more than ever.
Sunshine
I was sitting holding Amy's tiny hand thinking she had a grip of iron. I started to sing some hymns to her. I sang one entitled, "There is Sunshine in the Soul." She loved it, but I couldn't remember all the words, so I stopped singing. Amy didn't ever say too much, but about 10 minutes later, she turned her head, looked right at me and said, "There is sunshine in my soul." Amy was actively dying as I sat with her three days later. She was no longer speaking and was non-responsive. It's amazing how precious those words seemed, only three days later.
- Heather McKinnon, Hospice For Utah CNA
A Moment
James was in the final stages of life and I was sitting there waiting for him to pass when his favorite cat wanted to jump up on my lap, but I wouldn't let him. The next thing I knew, the cat ran around me and jumped up on the bed and ran right for James' face. The cat gently kissed him on the cheek and when he pulled away, James took his last breath. Then the cat sat on the floor for about two minutes and then left the room and did not return. This was the most spiritual and interesting thing I have ever seen.
-Cleston Steele, Hospice For Utah CNA
