Reluctantly, I drove this morning to Zen Hospice. The sight of red poppies in full bloom, and the gorgeous sunshine were calling me to spend the day outside instead. Oh! hiking in the hills, if only . . . Why did I agree to a Sunday shift?
I had plenty of time during the drive, to sit with the annoyance, and the wishing. And then, amidst the unpleasantness, the thought of the people I was about to visit. A big wave of compassion washed over me, at once. And gratitude also, for my good fortune. Unlike the residents at Zen Hospice, I have the ability to walk and drive as I please. I am not stuck to a bed with no view, and I can go out and enjoy the red poppies. How blessed!
Most surprising to me, is the grace with which most residents of Zen Hospice accept their condition. I have much to learn from them . . .
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Marguerite,
ReplyDeleteHonest as ever. Your open humility and "Seeing beyond the verge of sight," as Thoreau put it, helps many, including me. My sense is that, as we ceaselessly practice your life... Moving from head to heart-mind... In our hara... The intellectual aspect dissipates, enabling us to live from our feelings, being more open... Gapless.... Harmonized... But as you point out, this is a process of learning, not an event.
Warm Smiles, ~Seiho
Thank you Seiho! As you and I both know, complete honesty is no less than the door to inner freedom.
ReplyDeleteDeep bow to you.
Because in a few years you'll forget the sun and poppies, but you will never forget those you help....nor will they you.
ReplyDeleteYou are right. One of most powerful exercises I did as part of hospice training involved end of life card game. The cards, I and others in group chose to keep last all involved relationships. What matters most in the end, it seems, is how one was able to love.
ReplyDelete