I thought: all this is only preparation
For learning, at last, how to die.
A Mistake — Czeslaw Milosz
I am at my Mum’s bedside. My friend Katy recommended a book that contains advice about dying processes. It is a valuable resource for anyone who is sitting with and caring for someone who is dying of a terminal illness: Final Gifts: Understanding the Special Awareness, Needs, and Communications of the Dying
It offers insight into what a dying person experiences through personal stories. It is the sort of information you might find out about after you need it, consider having it on a shelf, a preemptive measure…
Katy also reminded about roles and the importance of accepting help and support to allow me time to be a daughter. She said that the more others can cook, house-keep, or run errands, the more you (she meant me) can be a daughter, my most important role right now.
Beyond roles is friendship and I am deeply grateful to friends, who are supporting this supporter in many loving and thoughtful loving ways.