Goats on the Orme



The patient I was fond of died peacefully today with his family round him.

I'm sitting quietly having a late lunch, alone

It's sunny and I can see the goats on the Orme

Four of them standing very still against a deep blue sky



 

45 comments:

  1. The world spins on when we go, doesn't it. There's a kind of comfort in that, I suppose.

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    1. It’s been a good day
      A hard one
      But a good one

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  2. Barbara Anne2:32 pm

    Sympathy to you, John, because you've lost a friend. I wonder if he/she waited for your return? My Dad waited for my arrival at his bedside in 1983.

    Yes, life goes on. I liked Auden's words that I heard first in the movie "4 Weddings and a Funeral".

    Big hugs ...

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    1. It was a complicated case and one for obvious reasons I can’t discuss l I’m just glad I was working today

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    2. Barbara Anne10:29 pm

      I'm glad you were there, too. I'm sure your presence helped the patient and family more that you can imagine.

      Hugs!

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  3. I too think your patient possibly felt safe knowing you were nearby John and so could then relax enough to let go xx

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    1. Not the case but I’m glad I was there to help sort things

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  4. The goats carry on living their own lives regardless, as does all of nature. Sitting quietly seems right.

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    1. The Four of them stood for an age against the bluest of skies

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  5. A sad but inevitable part of your job …. One can only ask to go peacefully.
    What’s that in the teacup ? Is it jelly ? XXXX

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    1. It is ice chips , I was dehydrated so needed lots of ice cold juice

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  6. Even when death is expected, it shakes you. Professional distance only goes so far, especially with certain patients. Sympathy to you and his family. xx

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    1. It was a peaceful death, surrounded by love

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  7. suzanne dorries5:07 pm

    My sincere sympathies. May God have an open arms for him. So happy he waited for you. Love to you and his family.

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  8. Hard not to become fond, sometimes; makes your job harder, probably; but you are human...and not afraid to love.x

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    1. He was fondly thought of by many staff

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  9. Both of my husbands died of cancer - one kidney one brain - both died at peace both physically and with themselves - one just as important as the other. Thinking of you this evening John x

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  10. So honored to know you.

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  11. What happened to the stranded on the rocky beach point goats.

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    Replies
    1. They’ve all been saved and are back on the orme

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    2. That's very good news!

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  12. Wishing everyone peace. You’re a good man, John Gray.

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  13. Yorkshire Liz7:03 pm

    As a post, this is the perfect haiku about the circle and cycle of life. Thank you, John.

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  14. You and all others who do your job and similar jobs must have admirable internal emotional resilience, or maybe you just get used to it? I would not wish to have to get used to it. Or maybe you are just as tough as old boots inside? Whatever the explanation, you are needed.

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    1. Tough….yes
      Brittle… sometimes
      You learn the tricks to get things done in a way that you would want for yourself

      But you need balance in your life to do things without hurting yourself

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  15. Lizzy asked my question - we’re the stranded goats saved, and you’ve answered us.

    I’m glad your patient was surrounded by his family at the end, and in the best of care. That’s a fortunate way to go.

    Another question - why does ice help with dehydration? I’d not heard of that.

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    Replies
    1. Dr Obvious9:16 pm

      Because when it melts in the mouth it becomes water... (?)

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    2. I’m guessing the question was more, why ice rather than just cold water/juice, and I wondered that too.

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    3. We have an ice machine and I love extra cold drinks . I had finished my drink leaving the ice and was about to top up the drink

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  16. A peaceful passing without pain and surrounded by loved ones seems just right. Watching someone "let go" brings lots of emotion regardless of the circumstances. Take care John.

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  17. We all wish for a peaceful death. Your writing is lovely.

    Love,
    Janie

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  18. As I have told you before, I admire you for the work you do. I guess in a way it helps one to appreciate life and that every day is a blessing.

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  19. You provide an important service, John. XX

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  20. My heart goes out to you.

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  21. I'm trying to imagine what it feels like after attending a peaceful death. Sad satisfaction? a gentle melancholy?

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  22. Sorry to hear about that John. But it does sound as if he went well; and that's a blessing.

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  23. You are a good man with a good heart.
    Gentle yet strong.

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  24. We do really need balance in our lives.
    And if I ever need that kind of care, I hope I have someone who is capable and kind, and looks after me in a way that they would wish for themselves. As you do.

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  25. There's a touch of poetry to this one.

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  26. Taking care of others, taking care of yourself.

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  27. Those four lines are quite poetic John.

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  28. Anonymous12:04 am

    I think he waited for you.

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