End of Life Lesson Learned Today
Just two days ago at around noon I received an email from my friend, Kristi Curry, who has a wonderful business called Survivorship Now http://survivorshipnow.com/. A friend of hers in Katy, Texas named Ben wrote to her saying that his church buddy, Dan (age 49), was just given bad news about his cancer and was advised to call in hospice care immediately. Ben called Kristi to ask for her professional advice to help Dan's wife organize her life for what was to come. He also said he wanted to videotape Dan's stories so his two kids would know him better when they grew older. Ben asked Kristi for advise on what questions to ask and how to ask them. That's when Kristi referred me. I connected with Ben yesterday via email, then by phone. Ben explained that Dan didn't have any funds to afford a professional LifeStory and that he was going to do it pro-bono. I don't know why it happened, but something inside me said I have to do it. I told Ben that I could be there (two and a half hours away) the following morning by 10:30 to conduct the interview, as long as Ben filmed it.
When we arrived at Dan's home this morning, we were greeted by Dan's beautiful and gracious wife, Marcina. We set up the camera in Dan's bedroom and tried to get as much as we could of an interview, but unfortunately, due to the medications he was on, could not record much. What we did record, however, showed what a loving, caring father and husband he was. Rather than coming home without much of anything for Dan's family, I asked Marcina if she wouldn't mind being interviewed...to capture Dan's LifeStories through the stories of his loving wife. She agreed and we filmed about two hours of her smiles, tears and love for her husband. She showed unbelievable bravery and unselfish caring for her husband who was too ill to express his story himself.
By 1:00 PM, we left her home with hugs and well wishes to her for strength during the tough journey ahead that she faced. I arrive back home at around 4:00 PM, exhausted, but glad I had accomplished what I had that day. An hour later Ben called. He said he called to thank me, to be sure I got home okay, and...after a long pause...to tell me someone from his church called an hour ago to say that Dan had just died.
At first I was in a bit of shock. Yesterday, Dan was a total stranger to me. And now, after only knowing he and his wife for a few hours, I feel like an integral part of their lives. The lesson I've believe I learned from today's experience is to share your stories with the ones you love often, to celebrate life at every opportunity you get, and to give unselfishly whenever you can. Had I thought, "It's been a long week, I'm too tired to drive all the way to Katy early on a Saturday morning, conduct this unpaid interview, then drive all the way back," I would not have met Dan and his wife. And I am a better man now...because of them.
Thank you Kristi, Ben, Marcina, and especially Dan. May you rest in eternal peace.