In my last post I spoke of the really wonderful visit we had with family in Alberta and it really was.
As wonderful as it all was the time that really sticks out for me is the time I got to spend with my cousin Joe.
I have written asking for prayers for Joe. Joe has stage 4 cancer through much of his body. I could go on and on about what a wonderful man he is and he really is all that.
I want to talk about our last visit.
Our last morning there I got to spend about 2 1/2 hours of just one on one time. As cousins go Joe and I have been close. Sadly as life takes you in different directions contact contact becomes less frequent. I am not sure how to describe this. You can have someone in your life, that just knowing they are out there makes your life feel a little better. I know we all do and Joe is one of those people for me.
Our visit was I suppose you could say fragmented. By that I just mean he was very tired and dozed off frequently. Understandable, I was content to sit and wait until he awoke.
I haven’t been sleeping very well lately and badly need my nap.
Just throwing out two points we discussed. I will get into them more later. What are your thoughts on these?
Many people avoid meeting with the dying for a variety of reasons. Could this “avoidance” leave the patient with the thought possibly you just don’t care.
This experience is something no one can really understand unless you are there
Dying mans daily journal 
Hello Dear One. Visiting the dying can be very hard or uncomfortable for people, but I agree, not visiting is not the answer. We can’t/shouldn’t make it about ourselves and our own sense of discomfort – we have to put our needs second to those who need us more.
Simone my dear friend it is so very nice to hear from you. You have been missed. I do hope to hear from you again
Bill
Hi Bill .. I’m just glad you were able to get out to Alberta and are safely back home.
The experiences you are sharing with us are so valuable and will be for many a year ahead … how lovely you and Joe were able to just connect and you appreciated where he was at in life …
That’s the most important thing I’ve found – is being able to connect with someone at their stage of life … talking with them, rather than at them, being with them, rather than making them be with you …
People are afraid of death, and can’t seem to put themselves into the sick person’s place and thus understand their needs …
With thoughts – and thanks .. Hilary
Hi Hilary, excellent points. Post coming on that, thank you