Stories at the deathbed

I was sitting with a family early this morning waiting for the funeral home to arrive. The hospital was quiet and it was just the wife, daughter and I at the bedside of a man who was dearly loved and who had just died. 

It is always humbling to be with families at this very vulnerable and special time. I am so blessed to be present to such love as people share their stories about their precious loved one as they look at them for the last time.

I hear beautiful, funny, and heart wrenching stories - as I did this morning. I feel like an honored guest to be a witness to this time. I learn so much about life and relationships and love from the people who allow me into their lives. I am extremely grateful for the experience. I probably will never see this family again, but I will never forget the face of this woman as she looked at her husband and told me how they played jacks as children together and other cherished memories. 

People often look pained when they find out what I do in the world and often say how hard it must be. It is sometimes, but most of the time I feel blessed, enriched, useful, and very fortunate. I love what I do. I love hearing your stories. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing them with me and others like me.