Choosing Your Fate

Your wife sits beside your bed holding tightly your hand Smiling although she's grieving, just trying to understand You pulled out your feeding tube, chose your right to die To go on without you after 60 years, she fights not to cry. A stroke 6 years before left you paralyzed on your right side Unable to speak, walk and eat, simple bodily functions denied Life changed drastically, you needed long term nursing care That I met you through these circumstances is truly unfair Without food and fluids, you wait until death makes its claim I believe if I were in your shoes, I would choose to do the same The years of anguish and pain you endured has taken it's toll Courage and strength amplifies as you access damage control Don, you always gave me a smile that brightened up my day With head nods and eye contact, you were always able to convey That you were happy to see me and listened to all that I had to say You'd nod and listen to my stories, I hoped I chased your blues away I requested that you be my guardian angel when it was your time to go You nodded with the sweetest smile that my tears threatened to overflow Donald it was an honor to have known you, I have the utmost respect For staying longer than you wanted, your love ones you wanted to protect We'll all find comfort in knowing that you'll suffer no more You had a long good life, a loving wife and children to adore Now you will watch over us and guide us spiritually when we need I have a feeling you'll be good at this, a special angel, oh yes indeed! *Don was a resident of mine, he died 12 days after pulling out his feeding tube shortly after his 80th birthday. RIP Donald aka my guardian angel.