Lost a Friend to Heart Failure Last Night

[serious_oregon]

I'm a caregiver to some wonderful seniors, one of whom died last night. I really enjoyed this man. He was very academic and discussions with him were always insightful, if not educational. I'm saddened because tomorrow was my day to see he and his wife. My friends and partner are all at work and I'm the kind of person who could just really use a hug when the going gets a bit tough. Ergh...sad.

[ColemanSilk]

:Hug:

You are a braver person than me, I could not deal with being around people close to death. I'm sure you gave him a lot of emotional comfort in his last days.

[serious_oregon]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! I really needed that and appreciate the kind words and virtual hug. You rock for being there for me, ColemanSilk. So nice to have this new neighborhood of friends.

[MizLzie]

Here's another *HUG*

I don't know if I could do what you do. As Coleman Silk said, braver than I.

[Cheldoll]

*hug*
I owe you one hug tomorrow too.

[serious_oregon]

You guys are great. Thanks a heap. It's been a hard day and an even harder tomorrow when I will go help out Kathy, Richard's widow. It's hard to know what to think or type. Richard was very brave. He was aware that he was going to be passing soon, just don't know that it would be this soon. I guess we can never fully prepare.

The important thing is to be there for Kathy now.

Thanks for the hugs, all. That extra bit of love was/is definitely needed.

[Nevina]

*hug*
I owe you one hug tomorrow too.

So do I! So do I!

I was a caregiver for 10 years, though most of them weren't seniors. But I do know what it's like to truly care for people and not just because it's your "job." I'm glad you will be there for Kathy.

[Churble]

I worked for several years at a senior care company. I actually ended up putting in for a transfer to the office to be the receptionist because I just couldn't take it.

It takes a special kind of person, with a special kind of strength to do what you do. Speaking from experience, just knowing you're there and that you genuinely care is such a comfort for his family.

[ColemanSilk]

Yeah, I echo what churble said. It takes a strength I don't have to do what you do. At the risk of repeating myself I'm sure you've given a lot of comfort to people who needed it and you should pat yourself on the back for that.

[serious_oregon]

I just wanted to come back and say another big "THANK YOU" to everyone in my loss of a friend and client. I see his widow every week and she still loves me being her 'helper' . She always tells me she doesn't know what she would do without me. It's weird. I have so much compassion for these people. They start as complete strangers to me, but end up feeling like my own family. I want to be there for them. Sometimes when I wake up and I'm having a hard time getting out of bed I remember, "This is Kathy's day", and I'm up like a shot. Even on days I've been feeling low, it makes me feel really good to get there and be with these people who really rely on me to be there for them. Making them laugh and feel good about themselves and their homes, is all I need to keep coming back. It was horrible when I found out that Richard had passed, but I knew Kathy would be feeling lost; and again, that's all it took.

I guess I may be one of those people chosen in some weird way to do this job. I only grew up with one Grandparent and one Great Aunt. They were pretty much the extent of my extended family. I lost my Aunt in 1996 and my Grandmother in early 2000. Being that we didn't live near one another, I felt a bit disconnected and horribly sad when they passed. I spent wonderful vacations with them by myself when I was young, so they both meant a great deal to me. I suppose my taking care of these new seniors is a way to help fill that hole in my heart for the loss of my own family.

Kathy is doing well, but she was married to Richard for, get this, 66 years plus 2 years of courting. She sees a memory every where she looks. To have a shared life with someone for that long is truly a blessing.

Thanks again. Hugs!