I had a very touching experience a few months ago which I would like to share with you, as it reinforces the above statement. It was also a reminder to me that my Columban Missionary Call is a life-long commitment, despite my advanced age.
For me, reaching out and caring can be very life-giving.
Being “fully retired” now, and living in our Motherhouse in Wicklow, I still like to keep in touch with the local news here and read the weekly local newspaper.
During autumn of last year, I read a very touching interview of a young local man who was terminally ill and who had just been given two months to live. He had hoped that Assisted Suicide could be legalized in Ireland so that the terminally ill could have control over their own lives. This young man, George, had a very positive outlook on life, and hoped to be in control of his own young life up to the end.
He was a very gifted young man, and touched many people during his short life, especially since he was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour at the age of 22.
During the time of remission from his cancer he did a lot of fundraising for Cancer Services and treatment. He even climbed the highest peak in the four provinces of Ireland – what an inspiring young man!
He had a very loving and supportive family, his widowed mother, Sarah, two brothers and a girlfriend – who was the “love of his life” and she gave him a reason to live!
I was really touched as I read George’s story. He had just celebrated his twenty ninth birthday, and a big number of his friends and colleagues joined his celebration to say their final goodbye to their dear friend.
As I reflected on George’s interview and sharing, and being a Palliative Care and Hospice nurse, myself, in Hong Kong for many years, I felt a strong urge to reach out to him and see if there was any way I could support him, and his loved ones at this stage of his final journey, so I wrote a letter to him introduced myself and my background.
I made it clear to him that I was not writing because he was advocating for the legalization of Assisted Suicide in Ireland, nor was I writing to preach Religion, I was writing because I cared. I wanted to introduce other options of care to him for this important and final part of his young and precious life. I gave him my contact details, but also gave him the option of responding to me or not, if he so wished – he was completely free!
I suggested that he shares my letter with his mother, in case she would like to contact me.
I introduced the Wicklow Hospice and its services to him as it was quite convenient to where he lived. I assured him that they provide holistic care and support as well as free visiting so that his loved ones could accompany him day and night as he wished.
For me, “adding life to days, rather than adding days to life” was of the utmost importance at this time so that his last days would be peaceful and dignified, and he would experience quality of life.
Sometime later his mother, Sarah, contacted me and expressed gratitude for my letter and she wished to visit me. A visit was arranged and the morning she came, the first news she had for me was that George was admitted to the hospice the previous day and all his needs were being met there, and he was comfortable and peaceful.
She was happy too that his family and significant others could accompany him day and night – so he was never alone. George died peacefully a few days later with all his loved ones around his bed.
He and his family belong to the Church of Ireland. I was happy to attend his funeral service and Sarah and the family were grateful and surprised to see me there!
What a send-off he got! From the huge crowd present, it was very evident that he touched many lives during his short life. He had a special gift for reaching out and helping others.
As I reflect on George’s initial interview I feel a great sense of gratitude to God for his young and gifted life, and also for God prompting me to reach out to him. It was also a reminder to me that God continues to call me, to reach out, yes, true to my initial statement,
Missionaries never retire!
Sr. Mary Greaney