For Esther’s Writing Prompts challenge, using the prompt word “test.”
The real test came on an ordinary morning. I had dropped the kids off and was sitting in my car outside my first hospice visit. I had been a nurse for years, but this field was new, and I felt the weight of doing it while raising two children alone. I remember gripping the steering wheel and wondering if I could carry everything that waited on the other side of that door.
I walked in anyway. I met a family who needed calm, and I found it in myself even though I wasn’t sure it was there. I guided them through a moment that mattered, then went home and helped with homework and made dinner like any other night.
That was when I understood the test. Strength wasn’t in choosing between hospice and single motherhood. It was in discovering I could hold both without breaking.
And I did.
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55 comments
Yes, you did, you held both, because that is how you roll! 😊😘😘
Awww thanks so much, Carol Anne. You are the best! 🌺🩷
Sometimes pushing your way through is the only way. And we learn new things about ourselves that way, too.
That is so true. Thank you, Lynette.
Well, that’s grabbing fear by the tail and slamming its jaws shut. Result: A sense of satisfaction that you did the right thing all round. Well done.
Thank you, Peter-James.
That’s a lot of responsibility to carry on your shoulders, and you did it well! Something to be proud of. 💪💖
Thank you, Debbie. You are so kind. 🩷
An excellent response to the prompt showcasing internal empowerment winning over self doubt.
Thank you so much. I really appreciate your kind words.
So many patients will be glad you could do both. A wonderful share ❤️
Thank you, Esther. It was a wonderful prompt.🩷
My sister (when not taking her clothes off!) is a volunteer in a hospice for sick children. Quite how she manages to cope, and for do it without pay, is beyond me.
Your sister must have a steady heart to do that kind of work. It’s not easy, and it matters.
She does a few odds and sods to raise funds as well. The money from this year year’s “calendars” is going to the charity.
That’s wonderful she’s raising funds for them. Hospice work needs all the support it can get.
Not sure she’s going to tell them what kind of Calenders they are though 😜
Either way, it’s good the funds are going to a place that needs them.
She’s about to write a post about doing the shoot…
I’ll look forward to reading it. It’s good she’s sharing the experience behind the fundraiser.
Ha, I am slightly trepidatious about it as she has sent me one paragraph and ummm… that’s to the point
Hope it goes smoothly for you.
Sister here. Well at the moment he is trying to persuade me to not include any pictures, and not make a very unsisterly comment about him
She’s taken a break, apparently she got inappropriately flustered writing about me lol
Uh oh.
Sister here. Not quite I was just a bit taken aback by his er lets say dimensions
I’ll stay out of that one.
Very wise
Very nice.
Thank you, Vijay.
That is powerful. You carried a lot and you made it through.
Thank you, Thomas. I had more strength than I thought.
I am sure you did the best you could which is all anyone can do
Thank you, Jo-Anne. You are so right about that. 🩷🌸
Thank you for this inspiring work, Kymber.
It’s my pleasure. Thank you, Suzette. I’m so happy you found it inspiring. xo
You are most welcome, Kymber. Blessings to you.
Blessings to you too, my friend 🙏🩷🌸
Thank you so much.
🩷🌺
We have inner strengths we didn’t even know we had until we use them without thinking about it.
This is so true, Di. Thank you.
You’re welcome
We are often stronger than we think. Well done!
Thank you, Darlene. That is true.
This is wonderful, Kymber. ❤️🙏🏻
Thank you so much, John. 🌺🌺
come in and assay
assuage from a position
of compassion and perspective
Thank you, Utahan. I appreciate the compassion in your words.
We are often stronger then we give ourselves credit for.
Maggie, you’re right. We don’t always see it in ourselves while we’re in the middle of it, but looking back, the strength is there. Thank you for saying that.
Kymber, bless you for your kindness. That must be so difficult. I visited a friend in hospice the day before he passed and while it was a lovely atmosphere and kind people, the heaviness of the whole thing made me realize it requires a special calling 😎❤️🙏
Darryl, thank you. Hospice is heavy, even on the gentle days. I’m sorry about your friend, and I’m glad you were able to be there.🩷🌺
See????? Strong! Brave! Magnificent!!!
Pam, thank you. I didn’t feel strong when I was living through it. I was just trying to keep my patients comfortable and still be the mother my kids needed. Hearing you say that makes me stop for a moment and see it the way you do. I’m grateful you’re here.