In fact by the time you read this that exit will likely have been taken. We had been talking about what this is like for her. She expressed sadness around leaving her family, friends and all the things she enjoyed in life now. The expressway motif came up as she had been describing life for her as a very fast paced, exciting life on a fast highway – one in which she drove a very fast Porsche 911! I had just asked her about how it feels to have to slow down to take the exit, when she expressed this anxiety about making
sure she will take the right one. This is what I love about these conversations. I never cease to be amazed at the perceptions, questions and profound wisdom of people at this point in their journey. When I asked her to explain she spoke deeply about the challenge of facing something she felt no preparation for. For her the exit she is looking for is one where there is a sense of peace and “rightness” even if it is unknown territory. We talked about what she will look for to know that exit and after some profound discussion we both knew would indeed find it.
The entrances and exits of life are times when we most need the help, support and love of a community of people. I thought about Hospice this way – as a community of people who help people find the exit ramp as they leave this journey. For those left to live with the grief and loss, our Hospice Peterborough community is still here – to provide support, encouragement and direction in their continued journey. Our Adult Grief Groups are underway and we will be starting another Children’s Grief Group and Teen Group shortly. Our bereaved parent support group continues to meet monthly and we have plans to offer something new for this unique group as well.
To find out more, visit Hospice Peterborough’s website.
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