Читать книгу Above and Beyond - J.S. Dorian - Страница 56

“For life, with all it yields of joy and woe … Is just a chance o’ the prize of learning love.”

ROBERT BROWNING

A young friend burst into tears as she described a cross-country visit to her dying father. She had rushed to his side as the family “savior,” expecting to take charge of his medical care, bring him comfort, and unify her grieving family. “My dad was glad to see me,” she said, “but he made it emphatically clear to everyone that he wanted to be left alone. I’m shattered.”

We each choose to deal with critical or terminal illness in our own way. Some of us require a great deal of family involvement while others want very little attention. However, these highly personal choices are not always easy to make, since every person in the family circle has special emotional needs during times of crisis.

Those of us who are ill must nevertheless set our own priorities. If we need to be alone, even though our loved ones insist on being constantly at our side, we should stick to our guns.

We understand how difficult it can be for family members to comply with our wishes to be left alone. If possible, we can explain the way we feel and try to help them respect our needs and wishes.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Right now, in spite of emotional pressures from loved ones, I need to do what’s right for me.