Dying is hard. For a person who judges her life on the basis of how productive each day is, the process of slowing down and not being able to accomplish even the basic tasks of daily living is crushing. Mary spent her entire life in service of others. Even in rare moments of relaxing to watch a television program, it was done while knitting or sewing for someone in need.
Although Mary’s illness robbed her of her sharp memory, intellect, and communication skills, she still made great efforts to volunteer to help others to benefit from the Bible. As the additional ravages of cancer layered on, the deepening limitations in that area were a source of great frustration. She continually expressed feelings of worthlessness as she required more care and could give less.
Enter Hospice of CNY and of the Finger Lakes. Mary’s assigned Hospice care team, Julie and Lori, immediately saw a need to help provide purpose for Mary. Discussion of how a supply of rice heating bags was needed for other patients provided a motivation to keep trying. Muscle memory bypassed mental limits and sewing ensued. When a larger supply of material came in next, there was a spark of the old Mary; more confident in her ability and happy to turn castoffs into something useful, as she expanded into creating “dining scarves.”
Mary held on tightly to the fulfillment of a prophecy in the book of Isaiah that promises a time when no one will be sick. She and her family sincerely appreciated the care, compassion, and practical assistance received from the wonderful team at Hospice.
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