Helping at Hospice: "What's It Like?"

Quiet living room atmosphere
Kind welcoming staff
surrounded by rooms
with men and women at end of life.

There is no dramatic musical soundtrack
Just the everyday care taking
Meals delivered, medicines given,
Beds made, pillows fluffed...

Sometimes a patient calls out
in pain or in need
Most excitement - in the form of agitation -
comes from patient's family and loved ones.

To this comes the new volunteer
Knowing the drama of end of life
Yet sensing only quiet efficiency.
Is this a "not with a bang but a whimper" thing?

Back to the here and now:
"How can I help?" "Answer the phones!"
Sudden need for course in Telephone 101!
New technology is greatly surpassed by panoply of people and issues.
Maybe telephone 101 and Hospice Procedures graduate seminar!
Definitely Privacy 210, 301, etc.
So many questions! So many questions NOT to be answered by volunteer.

So much for the apparent stillness and quiet
Sitting at the telephone console
Meeting staff as they go by
It is clear the myriad of services that hospice affords.

Doctors consulting, nurses giving meds,
nursing assistants bathing and repositioning,
chaplains checking in and/or praying,
social workers helping families with final arrangements...

All this becomes visible but is only the more visible care taking.
What also becomes clear
is the great kindness that is passed on throughout.

I, the volunteer, see the kindness
I feel the kindness
It is the primary product of this place
Not death - kindness.