areG ver Northland Hospice’s
NORT
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Palliative Care
News and Information for People Who Live Each Day to the Fullest! November, December 2008 January 2009
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IC E SP
AND HO HL
1983-2008
Volume One Issue Four
“A Clean, Well-Lighted Place” by Dave Taylor, Hospice Volunteer
Earnest Hemingway wrote a short story in 1933 titled “A Clean and Well-Lighted Place”. I read this story last week for about the 6th time. It is one of my favorites. It is the story of a late-night café and the people who frequented and worked there. As I read it this time, I was reminded of my friend Tim became very proficient with the ALS computer. Tim, myself, and our friendship that started at the I called it the “Talking Machine”. It was a true gift Olivia White Hospice Home. for both of us. We both used it, so I met Tim in September of to speak. The machine allowed us 2006. He had just arrived at to talk about everything under the the House a few days earlier. I sun. The Packers. The Suns. We had just arrived in Flagstaff to spoke of politics and the inevitable live after twenty-seven years jokes about Bush, Cheney, the in Maryland. Republicans and Democrats alike. Tim had ALS, sometimes There were no sacred cows. We called, Lou Gehrig’s disease. talked about our families, and we It had progressed to the introduced our families as if we point where Tim was unable were friends forever. I felt part of to move or speak. My wife, his family and was treated so by all. Charlie, had suggested I meet I was not an outside intruder. Tim. Tim was receiving a The Hemingway story is not your computer that would allow typical short story. There is no real him to communicate. I was protagonist, no deep interwoven very interested to see this plot. It is more a story of people apparatus, and see how it in an environment. The café was a works. I remember I met special place that gave each person Tim in the evening. He had what they needed; unconditionally. received his ALS computer There was a soldier and his girl, the that day and was attempting old man, and the two waiters. They Tim Schneider, seated and Dave Taylor to use it with great frustration. all needed the café and what it could He still had a pencil and a “scribble” pad of paper to provide. A clean and well-lighted place. write (poorly). Tim was active and very friendly. We I return to the Olivia White Hospice Home at least hit it off right from the beginning and we “spoke” for once a week. I am the designated House repairman. about forty-five minutes. I asked if I could visit again Every time I park my car, I think, “That is Tim’s bedroom and he said, “Yes”. This was the beginning of a great Continued on page 2 friendship that lasted one year.
A Peek Inside.....
Camp Mourning Star Page 5
Chicken Soup for the Heart Page 7
Compassionate Care The Volunteers Page 12