I love this series, and I love this scene more than I can tell you. Not surprised you did as well. I especially loved when she got excited and then said that I think her boss had talked to her about that. It was really perfect.
I myself have been following a lot of hospice nurses on social media lately, because my entire life I've had a rather anxiety-ridden, panicky fear of death, and with my mother's long illness, well, just trying to demystify and "unfrighten it" if I can. It's been enormously helpful.
My husband (married nearly 43 years) died in a hospice-provided hospital bed in my living room about two years ago. One of the interesting things he did towards the end was reach up towards the ceiling/sky as if to take the hand of someone reaching down. Had you asked him earlier when he could still talk, he would have self identified atheist. But there he was, reaching.
Thanks for providing the description you did, so matter of factly. Watching him go through those stages of dying was all at once fascinating, horrifying, and so so saddening.
Yvonne, thank you for writing about your husband and contributing your experience to this conversation. It feels important to leave room for Mystery--and your description brings that powerfully. Your comment reminds me how much the dying is different from the actual death--and then there's the radically changed world that comes after.
This is wonderful, Rachel. I so appreciate your thoughts on this most important subject. I. am considering becoming an end of life doula and would love to explore this with you at some point.
Hi Ellen! Lovely to "see" you here & I'd welcome us being in touch anytime, and certainly to hear what you're thinking/considering about that vocation.
I love this series, and I love this scene more than I can tell you. Not surprised you did as well. I especially loved when she got excited and then said that I think her boss had talked to her about that. It was really perfect.
I myself have been following a lot of hospice nurses on social media lately, because my entire life I've had a rather anxiety-ridden, panicky fear of death, and with my mother's long illness, well, just trying to demystify and "unfrighten it" if I can. It's been enormously helpful.
As has this Substack. 🩷
Liz, what a powerful example. Thank you--for sharing your path (which expands possibilities for others who read this) and for reading. 💜 xx
SO SO good Rachel. Thank you for this.
Thanks for reading, Dana.
My husband (married nearly 43 years) died in a hospice-provided hospital bed in my living room about two years ago. One of the interesting things he did towards the end was reach up towards the ceiling/sky as if to take the hand of someone reaching down. Had you asked him earlier when he could still talk, he would have self identified atheist. But there he was, reaching.
Thanks for providing the description you did, so matter of factly. Watching him go through those stages of dying was all at once fascinating, horrifying, and so so saddening.
Yvonne, thank you for writing about your husband and contributing your experience to this conversation. It feels important to leave room for Mystery--and your description brings that powerfully. Your comment reminds me how much the dying is different from the actual death--and then there's the radically changed world that comes after.
This is wonderful, Rachel. I so appreciate your thoughts on this most important subject. I. am considering becoming an end of life doula and would love to explore this with you at some point.
Hi Ellen! Lovely to "see" you here & I'd welcome us being in touch anytime, and certainly to hear what you're thinking/considering about that vocation.