Filling a Need in Florida

by Gail Schilling

Gail is away from St. Paul's for a bit, and has generously agreed to share some of her adventures with us here on our blog.

Let God use you without consulting you – Mother Teresa

When I planned my winter escape to Florida, I planned to volunteer at the nearby Bok Tower Gardens, offer musical or educational talent to the Episcopal church and, yes, work in plenty of pool time. I did not anticipate praying over or singing to a dying woman.

My sister-in-law, Dana, you see, works as a guardian for folks near the end of life who cannot make decisions. Nor do these folks have any friends or family to do it for them. Deaths, estrangements, and mental illness leave them bereft of caregivers who traditionally handle medical, legal, and financial issues.  Dear Dana goes one step further – she prays with her clients. Truly, she’s a guardian of souls.  So when she asked me to accompany  her to see “Sharon” (not her real name), I said, “Of course.” 

We were on our way to the hospital to be present when Sharon, 85 and diagnosed with schizophrenia, would be extubated  after being on life support for 3 weeks. Dana wanted me with her; this was her first extubation.  As we approached the frail woman in bed, she could not speak, yet she responded to Dana’s voice and touch by opening her staring eyes. We took turns praying: Sharon, you are not alone. You need not be afraid. I quietly sang “In Paradisum”…may the angels lead you into Paradise…  We simply stayed with her as she became very, very calm and closed her eyes.  Dana said she had never before seen her eyes water. Perhaps that was a tear?

Soon, the team from respiratory services administered morphine and removed the breathing tube compassionately and efficiently while Dana held Sharon’s hand; I sat out of the way and prayed. Interestingly, no one questioned my presence.  Nor did I.

After the team left and the transition to hospice care completed, Dana and I offered more prayers, then said goodbye.  The hospice folks would keep vigil with Sharon now.  On the drive home, Dana thanked me for being with her.

 “It was a privilege.”

God sure hadn’t consulted me, but I was right where I belonged. ###

(Note - in seeking out a photo image to use with this blog post, I searched for "a peaceful end" and found this - it seemed to fit...S.Nyhan)