It is the 1st time I witness some one passing away.
Happened yesterday, while Emily and me were doing
our normal palliative visits. She is a 47 year old woman
suffering from skin cancer. She has 4 children who are
in their teens. It is Emily's fourth visit and my first.
The husband had been calling Emily to come quickly,
as the wife seemed to be unconscious. We arrived at
their home at 11.40 am. The woman did not respond
to Emily's call, her breathing seem shallow and slow.
To me she looked beautiful despite the body being ravaged
by the sickness. Suddenly, the son called out "Ibu,
ibu", I realised that this was the end. Her breathing
became shallow, she turned pale and her body was
still, peaceful and calm. Emily pulled off her
oxygen tubes and switched off the machine.
It was heartbreaking to hear the family crying out
for her, I cried softly and felt a loser as I am supposed
to be comforting them. However, I managed to gain
composure quickly and extended my condolence to the
family.
We left shortly, leaving the family to grieve and to come
to terms with their loss. Although it is tough to see
the woman dying , I got to feel the comfort of a
death that was not ugly, painful or difficult.
Later, I apologised to Emily for losing my composure,
she assured me that as long as I did not mourn or cry
louder than the bereaved family it was alright. That
statement made me laughed a little...
"Ikebana is born from the encounter of nature and humans; it is the coming
