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.
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