I am a Hospice volunteer. I celebrate life as I work with people who are ending this portion of their life. I hold to the belief that life is eternal and death a doorway. Yesterday I made a first visit with a family who were tenderly caring for their loved one. It was an honor to meet them and share a short time of getting to know them and their life's story. It was all too brief as they had entered hospice care so late in the process that my first visit was also my last. I have learned the patient passed away and I will not be needed to be of assistance again.
I would like to share a passage from 'The Prophet' by Kahlil Gibran that addresses death as a tribute to the family left behind.
Then Almitra spoke, saying. We would ask now of Death.
And he said;
You would know the secret of death.
But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life?
The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot unveil the mystery of light.
If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life.
In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;
And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring.
Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.
Your fear of death is but the trembling of the shepherd when he stands before the king whose hand is to be laid upon him in honour.
Is the shepherd not joyful beneath his trembling, that he shall wear the mark of the king?
Yet is he not more mindful of his trembling?
For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?
And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?
Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.
Kahlil Gibran
8 comments:
what a beautiful passage
Twain,
I agree. In fact all of Kahlil Gibran's passages in 'The Prophet' resonate at a soul level.
That is a beautiful poem. You are a great lady to help at a Hospice - it is a very special caslling.
When I was nursing I wowrked on the acute admissions ward at an annexe at our local hsopital for the specialised care of the elderly. Naturally we had many deaths on the ward. I found it hardest of all to be with the relatives afterwards - there always seemed to be so much aggression there. But maybe that is the first response of us all, though I don't remember that feeling myself when my parents died.
I don't know, people are all so different.
Gilly,
I never became a nurse, but as a young woman I worked as an aide in a hospital and was overwhelmed by the grief I saw in the families of people dying and at that time I chose not to go into nursing. I have matured some in 50 years.
If there is anything great about me it may be that I have learned to be quiet and listen. Everyone approaches dying from their own experiences and by not judging them as I listen I learn how strong and resilent we become when we are challenged.
I am learning so much from the people I visit. It keeps me in a place of gratitude.
A meaningful post and passage.
Thank you!!
Ernestine,
I'm glad you came by and commented. It always feels good to know that what I write strikes a common chord.
I read "The Prophet" often and I also know we have earth angels among us. You are one, Cloudhands. I enjoyed your post on "Life And Death"...such good food for thought. Thank you for giving and sharing.
Yaya
Yaya,
I'm glad you know 'The Prophet' Isn't it satisfying to find folks here in cyberspace who have common interests and will stop and visit. Thanks for being willing to stop by from time to time and chime in.
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