The Difference a Day Can Make

One of my mom’s patient’s died during the night. Given that she works in hospice, this is neither out of the ordinary nor surprising. Death is a daily part of life for her. What makes this particular situation heart breaking is that the patient’s son and granddaughters – whom she hadn’t seen in years – were traveling from across the country to visit today. One day too late.

I don’t know the family situation, and it’s not my business to. What I do know is that I feel sadness for the patient who died without seeing her son and granddaughters again, and for the family, for missing her by only a day. But this day spelled the difference between life and death.

At the same time, this situation serves as a reminder, to care for and nurture the relationships that matter. Like it or not, that day comes for everyone. For you, for me, for the people we love. I don’t want it to make such a difference.