These hard days. Dark days. As I sit with a patient and her daughter in the hospital room. I come in with a task at hand. But, what I gain is human connection, a raw experience, vulnerability, a story and a journey. I gain a reminder to the preciousness of life, a reminder of what life is all about. Slow. Down.

A woman fighting for her life, right now, in this very moment, in this hospital bed. Her fear is rooted deep, anxiety is at the surface and reality is unbearable. As she fights a terminal cancer.

Her daughter, focused, anxious, scared. Trying, with everything she has, to remain the strong one for them both. Her eyes. I see her but also see the little girl within. A life without her mom isn’t right. Emotions turning to stress. Pressure. Make sure everything is right, everything is planned, everything is perfect, there is no other way, nothing can go wrong.

Let me ease your way, I tell them.
We are stressed, they say.
Give me that to carry.
Even if it’s just for today.
Let me take the weight.
Be together.
Hold hands.
Precious moments are here.
Let me ease your way.

They cry. Tears fall. A moment. A release. I validate every single tear drop. The daughter attempts to apologize for crying. No. You cry. You let that pain out. It’s safe here. You let those tears bring you closer to each other. Let me take this heaviness for a while. Just be here. Be still. Be here.

Place the weight of your world on me. I can bear it. You need to gain this strength back. For this journey is not over.

So, for today..
Let me ease your way.
Let me see you.
Let me know you.
Let me hear you.
Let me sit in your dark.
Let me feel the aches of your heart.
Let me ease your way.
Even if it’s just for today,
Let me ease your way.

A caring Social Worker,
With your heart in mind,
Dakotah