Privilege - March 27, 2014

Volunteering for Hospice, like every other part of my life, brings surprise and grace if I am open to noticing. Last week we did a vigil for a middle aged man who otherwise would have died alone in a somewhat chaotic institutional setting. I happened to be there as he let go his last breath and the signs of life quickly vanished. It is always a privilege to meet someone at the end of their life, with no previous baggage to overcome, and with often a frank and accessible revealing of themselves. A Hospice nurse wrote beautifully about this vigil and it can be read at http://candacepalmo.wordpress.com/2014/03/26/no-one-should-die-alone/. I feel blessed.