OT Reflections on our time here

[carbonman]

My neighbor of the past 4yrs is losing her battle to cancer.
She came back home 2wks ago w/hospice care. Mostly her husband
of 33yrs. It has been an on going battle for the past 5ys. She beat it back
for a 3yrs. Now, there is no more medicine and mortal man can do.

Sunday was her birthday.....so, she had a birthday party.
She had Jeff unhook all the tubes and she was confined to
a recliner in the front yard. She was as radiant as always. She greeted 200 of her
closest friends and family w/a smile and encouragement for whatever is going
on in their lives. Her cake said Celebration of Life.
...and it was.

There will be no funeral.
She wants everyone to remember her as she was that day.
She told my wife to listen for her in the wind chimes.
It was a surrealistic experience.

[CreativeChris]

I am so sorry to hear about your friend's impending passing. It sounds as if she is ready for her passing and as sad as it sounds, it seems she is passing on her own terms and spreading light and love to those she leaves behind. I can't think of a more beautiful way to end this part of her journey.

I had a similar experience 3 years ago when one of my closest friends and the most important mentor I know was dying from cancer. She had her bed brought into the dining room for Thanksgiving and even though she was almost gone spoke a few words and went back to sleep. She was gone 2 days later. It was gut wrenching at the time but I am happy that we were able to have her with us and say goodbye.

[Goofproof]

She sounds like a smart good lady, may her passing be pain free and peaceful. Bless her, may we all have a pain free and peaceful end. Jim