Hospice care is one of the most helpful and wonderful gifts to human life imaginable. Hospice care brings pain relief, loving-kindness and dignity to those whose life is coming to an end. Instead of tubes, machines and desperate procedures trying to keep a person alive, the person rests comfortably in familiar surroundings encircled by loving friends and family.
That is where I met Joyce. She was already well along in her life -endiong illness. But we talked. Her mind was clear and her smile cheering but she was thin and ebbing away. Then as I held her hand a beautiful scene flashed into my mind. Joyce, I suddenly saw as a cocoon and emerging and then floating upward was a beautiful butterfly. A sad ending turned into a pleasant beginning.
Stories have trickled in for decades about the beautiful moments surrounding death-angels, comforting voices, warmth, love and more. The end of life for many is not bleak and difficult.
But King Hezekiah wasn't ready for death. Life in this world challenged and called him. So he cried and cried out to God for a reprieve. There is a time to fight for life and there is a time to let go. The tears of this King touched the heart of God.
That is where I met Joyce. She was already well along in her life -endiong illness. But we talked. Her mind was clear and her smile cheering but she was thin and ebbing away. Then as I held her hand a beautiful scene flashed into my mind. Joyce, I suddenly saw as a cocoon and emerging and then floating upward was a beautiful butterfly. A sad ending turned into a pleasant beginning.
Stories have trickled in for decades about the beautiful moments surrounding death-angels, comforting voices, warmth, love and more. The end of life for many is not bleak and difficult.
But King Hezekiah wasn't ready for death. Life in this world challenged and called him. So he cried and cried out to God for a reprieve. There is a time to fight for life and there is a time to let go. The tears of this King touched the heart of God.
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