Sad news.

If you are a faithful reader, you might have read about the fact that I volunteer on the weekends with a local hospice by visiting an alzheimer's patient who lives with her daughter and son-in-law. Precious lady.

After visiting with her and her caregivers Saturday, I left her house in tears - I knew it would probably be the last time I saw her. I could tell it was close to time for her to pass.

Well, I got word at about 8:30 this morning that she did, in fact, pass away early this morning. I cried at my desk.

I told myself when I decided to do this that I would not become too attached to the patient. They are hospice patients, and by the definition of hospice - they are all dying. Let me just say that it is much easier said than done. I was so attached to sweet ms. lucille, and her family.

I am going to miss her, but after seeing her on Saturday and seeing the pain and suffering that was going on, I know that it is all for the best. She is in a much better place now - free of all her pain and no more terrible alzheimer's disease. She is free now!

If you are a praying person, please keep her family in your prayers. It was not an unexpected death by any means...they have been preparing for this day for years...but it does not make it any easier. When I was visiting with the family on Saturday, they were all very anxious and felt comepletly helpless. I know they must be experiencing a sense of peace about it all, but death is never easy and they are heartbroken. Just pray for this griefing process. It is not easy, even when the death is so inevitable.