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This is a small short short story I wrote years ago when I worked in a hospital for a time and, sadly, was involved in just such scenarios on many occasions. Maybe it is the product of my fanciful imagination, but I believe it may have actually been what happened. What do you think?
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INTO THE LIGHT
The doctor removed the stethoscope from his ears and, looking at the nurse, shook his head briefly. I knew then that the patient had passed away and felt a sudden spasm of shock course through me. No words were spoken as the doctor left the small room and the two nurses began to attend to the deceased man.
Standing at the bottom of the bed, I watched their actions, knowing that it was important to learn everything I could. That is why I was here after all, right? To learn to care for the dead as much as I cared for the living.
Looking at the face of the patient, I realised that he had that vague familiar quality, as if he could almost have been an old acquaintance from years back. The sort or person whose face you would always remember but could never recall the name.
The nurses finished their work and tidied away their equipment, and both left the room, leaving me alone with the deceased. Since neither had said anything, I could only assume that I was to wait here until being told what to do next.
As my gaze returned to the white clad figure on the bed, I realised that I felt a sense of being sorry for him, for who he had been and for whomever he was leaving behind in this world. All life is sacred after all and here was one person who had just left this world yet, at this hour of the morning, I was the only one left to mourn his passing.
The silence in the room was deep, almost oppressive and I longed for the nurse to return if only to have another living presence in the room with me again. My eyes were feeling heavy too but I knew that it would never do to be found asleep next to a corpse in a hospital, would it!?
Suddenly, the door opened and the two nurses entered again, along with two of the hospital porters. A low trolley was wheeled into the room and the porters moved the body of the man from the bed onto this trolley.
As they all left the room with the trolley, I felt a sudden deep sense of loss which was most unfamiliar to me. I stood there in the silence for a long moment, listening to the squeak of the trolley moving further and further away down the long corridor.
Slowly at first, I began to become aware of a light shining behind me which was increasing and illuminating the room, as if someone was turning up a 'dimmer' switch to its full extent. The light increased until it seemed as if a powerful arc light was being used to highlight the grim scene where, a moment ago, Death had come calling.
I turned to look at the source of the light and, in that instant, I understood. With a final look back at the room, I stepped forward into the light, knowing that my time here was over and that my real journey was just about to begin.........!
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Posted by scotslad60 on 2007-10-16 09:00:18 | Rating: | Views: 118
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Always walk towards the light! Liked the story. Have nursed most of my life and found satisfaction in being with people at the time of their death. It is possibly one of the most intimate relationships there can be.
I'm glad you came back :} the light will back back for us all when the time is right.
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Posted by bede
on 2007-10-16 12:31:10
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Wow! Where did that come from? Was that an experience you had? Wow!
Love your Trees,
Kim
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Posted by Jesusmyvision
on 2007-10-17 01:20:10
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Thank you both.
Yes, Bede, I agree it is a special time to be with someone.
I have been present when others have stepped across, so it is kind of my experience too.
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Posted by scotslad60
on 2007-10-17 06:11:11
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One such incident did happend in my life as a nurse. Late night, while working in the CCU, a patient went into the cardiac arrest. After doing CPR and an extensive defiberlation the patient awoke up with surprise look and angry. Why did you awake me up while I was about to be with
my parents who were awaiting for me. "Where" I said. Up in the valley,in heaven.
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Posted by gurkha12
on 2007-12-17 03:17:49
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