I have often mentioned that I am honored to do the work I do, and I feel especially blessed to be able to help in some small way the patients who are at or near the end of their lives, and their families. I recall the words of Sister Judith Ann, O.S.F., Major Superior of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, who says that doing this work is “walking on Sacred Ground”.
If you have never experienced being able to help the dying, it is very hard to put in to words the privilege we share. We are with families at a very intimate moment, but it doesn’t do it justice to simply say we are called to this ministry. Words simply cannot capture or adequately describe the experience.
For that reason, there are a lot of artistic works associated with death and dying. There is an entire section of the Pallimed blog devoted to Arts and Humanities, and it is one of my favorite sections. The arts can express feelings and truths where words fail us.
It is no surprise, then, that those who have a talent for song use that talent to express the inexpressible. Just as we can be touched by the events around the end of life, we are touched by the rhythm and flow of music. One singer/songwriter came to me with this song, and it is my honor to share it with you here.
http://youtu.be/gGiAuwxpZ2I
Last Updated: January 13, 2022