I wondered what my purpose would be after the holidays were over. Life was so busy after Neal’s death and all that involved; I was still working at the dental office; then getting ready for the holidays. Now what. It didn’t take long for me to realize what God had in store for right now. This past year Neal’s father, Dale, has had some health issues with a lung disease and decreasing weight. Last Friday Hospice became a part of our family again. Dale had had the flu and became very weak and was eating and drinking even less than he had been. He has the same Hospice team that Neal did, upon our request. When the nurse walked in it was like seeing an old friend.
It’s always a tough decision to call in Hospice because it makes the end seem so real. It was a little hard for me at first but I quickly went into “OK, this is what we have to do. How can I help?” It has been helpful having gone through this before to help the family navigate this journey. I was taken back when the hospital bed was brought in. I silently gasped as I recalled Neal laying in his.
God designed each of us to go through our journey here on earth in relationship with Him and others. We all need somebody. I can lend my hand as a caregiver. I have experience with that!
Neal’s dad has many wonderful sayings but this one has been in my mind the past few days:
“Every hand needs a hand to hold.” Dale L Smith
Whose hand can you hold today?
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| Dale and Bobbie Smith’s hands |