Reflection is such an important and therapeutic part of compassionate care. Taking a few tender, thoughtful moments to remember the joy, laughter and utter tenacity that is shared between kindred spirits.

In a recent conversation with one of my hospice palliative care colleagues, we took a couple of moments to chat about those life-affirming blinks in time that give you hope and energy to continue on.

Among our reflections were:

A 40-year-old woman who being diagnosed with lung cancer was attending our Day Hospice program, OASIS. She never missed a gathering of the Day program and continued to come right up to the end. Even when she was too weak to fully participate in the happenings and had to lie down, she continued to attend for the commradery and sense of belonging she experienced among her peers.

We remarked on how tenacious she was, how her spirit could not be kept down even as her body began to weaken. It always amazes me how individuals rise to the challenge and find so much comfort in “just being” with others.

Similarly, we laughed about one old fellow who use to faithfully attend the Day Program each Friday, a real Englishman who liked to hold court, with his cane in one hand and a history text in the other. He made it his goal to ensure that all of the hospice participants were engaged in robust conversations. People were really drawn to him; he had great charisma and told captivating tales.

He was often heard saying among gales of laughter and kibitzing, “I like coming here on Fridays, it gives meaning to TGIF!”

Our Day Program really is an OASIS for many I suspect.

– Doane House Hospice, Newmarket