Death and Dying

Death is one of my major teachers.  As a child, I suffered through my father's twelve-year illness, and after his death when I was fourteen, my family handled the situation by not speaking about it.  I never want to experience death so unconsciously and painfully again.  I was trained as a hospice volunteer a few years ago, but took a leave because my mother seemed to be dying.  She was a hospice patient for 10 months and decided to live.  I still care for my mother who is bedridden and helpless, perched on a ledge between life and death along with many other Alzheimer's patients.  I've also been honored to spend time with dear friends as they go through the transition from life to death.

The Blessing: Despite my mother's extreme physical weakness and Alzheimer's disease, I learned it is never too late to heal our hearts.

From Medicine to Mercy: I wrote this about an experience I had with my mother a few years ago.  It explores the struggle to make good medical choices for someone who cannot make them for herself.

Death Without Hospice, Life With Hospice: I wrote this essay in May, 2000.  It was used by the New York State Hospice Association in their newsletter and in the NY State Legislative Gazette to encourage funding support for Hospice.

© 2004 Elaine Mansfield