Never Far From Me

My patient was listening to a message from a best friend living under lockdown in another country
I was changing the medication in their syringe driver and was doing so very quietly.
The message was in the form of a song that I recognised and it’s effects were understandably profound and incredibly moving to watch

I’m on nights, covering sickness then I have a week’s leave.
I try to book a weeks holiday every eight weeks or so.
The stressors of hospice work are very different to those exhausting times, I remember on ITU and Spinal Injuries. They are subtle and insidious and lockdown makes recharging a little more challenging 


Any time I feel low
I just don't know how you know
You are never far from me
You are never far from me

Once again, there goes the phone
How could you possibly know

You are never far from me
You are never far from me

Before the time that you go
There is something you should know
You will always be in me
You are never far from me

The song is a beautiful one. 
The scenario I observed was a beautiful one too...but terribly sad......
And after two night shifts, I’ve sorted out to cover sickness I am off for a whole week 

28 comments:

  1. Sit back and catch your breath.

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  2. Thanks ... was not familiar with this song, and it's very affecting esp during these times. Be careful out there if you go on holiday!

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  3. Beautiful song, and in the setting you describe, impossibly moving. You both need and deserve your week off. Hope you can meet up with a few friends locally to walk the dogs. One friend at a time...

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  4. How you manage to not cry every day at work I do not know. You deserve every holiday you can take. Take care. xx

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  5. Very moving. Thank you.

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  6. Trying to maintain mental health during pandemic is a challenge. Enjoy your break.
    Patty

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  7. I am so glad for your time away.

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  8. That's beautiful again John-I found it too painful though-as I'm an emotional wreak x

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  9. Have a lovely, peaceful time, John.
    Those old movies take me back. For Christmas I made my kids thumb drives filled with the old family videos. It was so lovely to see the old days of their childhoods and it was a project that brought back sweet memories.

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  10. I was absolutely mesmerized by that video. What a lovely song for a friend to send!

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  11. Hard to type with tears in my eyes. xx

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  12. Wonderful song to send to a friend. I am crying.
    Changing shifts must be so hard especially with the lockdown.
    cheers

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  13. Beautiful. How do you cope with such sadness, John? Have a lovely holiday x

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    1. Without company and the diversions of friends cinema theatre
      It’s been harder of late Rosie

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  14. Anonymous6:07 pm

    I really do salute you dear boy for the job/vocation you have choosen.
    Not only would l be running away in the other direction than to have to deal with bodily functions, but would be in a sobbing heap and in need of being comforted myself(?!) in the face of the sadness you encounter on a daily basis.
    You make me feel pathetic at moaning 'l can't go out'. Note to self ** 'Get a bloody grip woman!'.
    Blessings to you John,
    Tess xx

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  15. Barbara Anne6:07 pm

    What a lovely song and it's certainly just right to send to a friend who is in hospice care. I'd have been a puddle if I heard that song at a patient's bedside.
    On the lighter side, I remember trying to count a patient's pulse while Tom Jones was singing on the TV "It's not unusual to be loved...". Oddly, the pulse was keeping time with the music or so it seemed ever so briefly.
    Will you travel on your week off or stay home, circle the wagons, and perhaps paint the upper hallway?

    Hugs!

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  16. What a beautiful gift to your patient: that knowledge of their importance to another, no matter what. The world would be a much better place if everyone felt that they mattered.

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  17. What an incredible gift. True friendship. And love.

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  18. That is a beautiful song and video and very sad as well. Enjoy your time off. I'm so glad you have it.

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  19. An emotionally challenging job but you have work colleagues and friends and are needed and loved. I miss that. Lockdown alone is lonely and cheerless.

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    1. It is Rachel...as a friend I wish I lived nearer.x

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  20. A beautiful song and very moving. I hope you get to catch up with some friends/family during your week off and at least get a chance to relax

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  21. That was so moving John...thank you x

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  22. The challenges of hospice and general sadness surrounding it combined by lock down has to be hard. A week off to recharge is important. Take care.

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  23. I'm in too much pain to cry. Everyone is so far from me.

    Love,
    Janie

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  24. How incredibly moving, how you could continue what you were doing while that played I have no idea. You are an amazing man, but I've known that for a long time. Enjoy every moment of your week off, you've earned it.

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  25. What a sweet moment to witness this show of love in a song, sent by a friend from so far away.

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  26. What a beautiful heart touching song. I never heard it until today. This has been a tough year for everyone and I hope perhaps it brought comfort to others as it did me. I lost my sister and mother-in-law the end of last year within a 3 week span and this song made me think of them and smile. Thank you dear John for sharing and above all for caring for others as you.

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