A Patient's Room of Requirement

It all begins with the question, "What are your goals?"  To our patient, it was a simple answer, "I would like to go shopping."  Now, if anyone is familiar with the magical world, we all know that the Room of Requirement is a magical room which can only be discovered by someone in need.  When discovered, the room is mysteriously equipped with everything the person needs.  Such was the case for the patient.  Upon the request for a shopping trip, her nurse presented the request to the rest of the hospice team and the wheels were put into motion.  Through a team effort, transportation was arranged, volunteers called, and staff responded with all the necessary arrangements to make this wish happen.  This week the patient's goal was reached.  Since the room was magically equipped for her, she was able to find everything she needed in the store of her choice.  Following the shopping, her day continued when the Room of Requirement was extended to the restaurant across the street where ten of the hospice team members gathered to celebrate her upcoming birthday.  It was similar to a family gathering where laughter was heard, food was wonderful, and stories were shared.  Staff members had purchased roses, a corsage, cupcakes and a few other personal items in order to make her birthday memorable.  The smile on the patient's face throughout the day told the story of how happy a met goal can make a hospice patient.  Sometimes life puts things in your path to show you where you belong.  Don't miss the opportunities that are presented to you.... the smiles are worth it!

Play With Your Pain

Charlie Chaplin once said, "To truly laugh, you must be able to take your pain and play with it."
How do you play with your pain?  When I read this quote, my thoughts immediately went to a gentleman we referred to has Frogge.  He would share with us through humor his stories of mistakes, problems, dreams and life.  He always entertained us with his abilities to make his pain into a funny story.  I remember thinking at the time that this was a gift to be able to laugh at yourself and share those stories.  We see things not as they are, but as we are.  To Frogge, he chose to live, laugh, learn and move on.  I realize now that he was probably the most burden-free person in class!  When Charlie Chaplin refers to playing with your pain, I do not think it necessarily means to make humor out of it..... I think he refers to working with it to see where it takes you.  Where is your pain taking you?

Nature's Paths

Today as I sit in "My Room", I look out over the property and notice the changes in nature.  The weather has been hot and dry causing gardens to diminish in their produce, the grass shows paths of little critters, and flowers have lost their thriving capabilities.  One morning there were deer crossing the "fun" garden and with graceful movements jumped the fence and moved on.  A beautiful sight to have seen. Throughout my life, whenever I was struggling with problems, I had found my answers and solace by spending time in nature.  It is like there is no place to hide. ... the world is at my feet and nothing can bring me down.   Sometimes life puts things in our path to show us where we belong.  Don't miss what is right in front of you.

Heart - Seeing

This blog entry is not entirely a lonniesroom original.  The quote comes from the Thought For the Week in our morning bulletin, the verse being from Matthew 13:13, "They look but do not see."

"In our scientific age, we put great trust in hard evidence.  I want to see it!  The problem is that we don't often see what we're looking at.  I look at a person displaying ugly behavior, and I see an ugly person.  Why don't I see a beautiful person who is in pain and working it out through ugly behavior.  I hear someone's reputation being torn apart, and I see a reason for thinking better of myself.  Why don't I see my own insecurity that makes me want to believe the bad?    Until I see with my heart and not just appearances, I'm going to miss the reign of God."

I felt this was worth sharing because I have been working on this very subject in order to better understand family dynamics and grief outcomes. I have found that there are many reasons people act the way they do.  Once you take the time to listen and discover the reason, the person then appears differently.  It is all about Heart-Seeing.

THE TEN GALLON HAT!

In the Old West, the Ten Gallon Hat represented the "Boss of the Plaines".  We held respect for the man who wore a cowboy hat because that seemed to show that he was an authoritative figure, a hard worker of the land, and one who fought for what was his.  Even today we relate to people by the hat they wear.    

• We have a serviceman's hat... he is brave and strong in protecting our country while leaving his family to do so.  
• The policeman's hat... protecting our state, county and towns to keep us safe, while leaving his family to do so.  
• The Surgeon's cap... performing an emergency surgery a 2 am to save a life, while leaving his family to do so.  
• The Farmer's cap.... working diligently to feed the country, while leaving his family to do so.
• The Hard hat.... utilities working through the night so we may "see light", while leaving their families to do so.

But, none so great as the chemo hat...worn by the bravest, fighting for life, so that families do not have to be left at all.

"Hats Off" to those who sacrifice so much for others

Extraordinary Encounters

Charles Lauer wrote an editorial in which he said, "Wherever you go, there are fascinating people ready to make your acquaintance."  I have experienced that in the last two weeks by working with some extraordinary and remarkable people facing life altering transitions. Their love, their determination, their ability to hold on to hope, and their celebrations of life are inspirations.  Those we care for thank us for the jobs we do, but in actuality, we thank them for teaching us because in the nakedness of grief, we become a shadow of ourselves........ we dim in comparison to those who are living it.  God bless all the families who are facing a life transition and know you have my greatest respect and compassion.

Cartoon Character Quiz

Tonight in MY ROOM, I watched the angel dancing above me and I suddenly felt rather whimsical.  I decided my blog tonight would be something to make you smile... if only to say this was the dumbest blog you have ever read!  I started searching the internet for something and ran across, "Which Cartoon Character are you?"  Caught my attention immediately as I was curious as to what character I most likely resembled .   Okay.. I took the test and I chose the best answers I thought possible.   When it came to the interpretations... what do you think?  At first  I thought it might very well have been matching appearances rather than personalities. Now, for those of you who know me, you will get a chuckle out of this..  My character was "Tweety"!!!!  Now do you see why I thought perhaps they were matching looks?  A little hair spike? Orange lips? Flat feet?  Wiggle when one walks?   The personality traits included cute (alright, maybe doesn't match), everyone loves me (maybe not that either), best friend, never hurts feelings intentionally, life is a breeze, witty, calm and worry free. I think it probably matched appearances more than personality, but all in all.... it was a fun.

 Even though one cannot take this seriously, it gave me a momentary boost and a few chuckles.  We all from time to time need to step back and look at ourselves and at life and laugh at something... anything.... just laugh... it is a great stress releaser.