Reflections

Hospice Spiritual Counselors: Witnesses of Hope

By Sharon Hutchison

Whatdoes a patient or family do when hope is no longer defined by cure? What does hope look like when the risk of another course of treatment outweighs the benefit or they learn that being disease-free is no longer a realistic outcome?

For hospice patients and their families hope is not lost, rather it is redefined. And hospice spiritual counselors experience the sacred privilege of being witnesses of that hope.

As spiritual counselors journey with patients and families, making space for them to share their stories and experiences, we are privileged to share in, or hear the recounting of, sacred moments. These moments include times when families come together to celebrate their love or reconcile their differences. Often families gather and spend time laughing and sharing memories. Some sit quietly, with one who can no longer talk with them, and reflect on special times spent together. Sometimes patients or families need support in finding a way to let go of guilt or brokenness that they no longer have an ability to resolve. Peace comes in accepting what cannot be changed about the past. Others experience a great sense of purpose in making sure that tasks, which will support their loved ones, are accomplished…an advance directive is completed, funeral planning is done, an obituary is written, finances are put in order.

Hospice spiritual counselors, occasionally experience the blessing of sharing in a baptism or a wedding for a patient or a family member, who expedites a special event so that their dying loved one can be in attendance. We get invited, or even help to host birthday parties or graduation celebrations. We sometimes get the privilege of seeing a patient hold their new grandchild for the first time…a moment they have been praying to experience before death occurs.

Often we are asked, “How can you do this sad work every day?” And, in response a hospice spiritual counselor will nearly always smile as they reflect on the beautiful, precious moments with patients and families that are filled with purpose and hope.

In her famous poem, Emily Dickinson writes “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul – and sings the tune without the words – and never stops at all.”

More often than not, our experiences with patients and families bear witness to that sense of hope. It is a hope that does not end, but rather takes on new meaning as one faces death with dignity and quality of life.

For more information, please contact Sharon Hutchison, Spiritual Care Services Manager at shutchison@coastalhospice.org or by phone: 410.742.8732 ext. 619