Tag Archives: hospice

Ministry

Posted on July 5, 2018 by Barbara McAfee

I was thirteen years old…all bony knees, bad glasses and scathing self-consciousness. One ordinary Sunday morning at the First Presbyterian Church in my Minnesota hometown, I witnessed something earth-shaking, life-changing: a woman stepped into the pulpit. A woman! Just as … Continue reading →

Posted in community | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Respectful Transitions – A Tale of Family, Trees, and Healing Beauty

Posted on November 17, 2016 by Barbara McAfee

We don’t have a choice about losing people and things we cherish. It’s a big part of being human. One of the most precious lessons I’ve learned from singing at the bedsides of people in hospice is this: beauty can … Continue reading →

Posted in healing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Blessing for Entering Hospice

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Barbara McAfee

My beloved friend Jim is nearly 92 years old. His mind is sharp and keen though his vision, hearing, and mobility are weaker every day. Jim doesn’t have a major illness. He’s just losing energy and appetite. A few weeks … Continue reading →

Posted in community, death and dying, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

A Death is Born Into Your Life

Posted on November 27, 2015 by Barbara McAfee

I sat next to R. at a community sing the other night. Her mother died several months ago and she is still in the raw grief of it all. Many of the songs called forth her tears and she looked … Continue reading →

Posted in death and dying | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

This Is When I Think of You – A Meditation for Fellow Caregivers

Posted on February 5, 2015 by Barbara McAfee

Yes, you. My fellow caregiver. I think of you most often as I walk out of Mom’s senior living place. Perhaps it is 9:45 p.m. on a frigid winter night. I worked all day and then drove the half-hour journey … Continue reading →

Posted in caregiving, death and dying, hospice | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Conscious Dying: The Story of Jack

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Barbara McAfee

Jack and I were at the YMCA Christmas tree lot in the dark chill of a December night. His breath plumed among the pine branches as he laughed about his recent visit to the orthopedic surgeon. “During my pre-op visit … Continue reading →

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When I Die….

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Barbara McAfee

I recently wrote my “death song.”  I’m in fine health, thank you. The opening lines are: “When I die, I know there’ll be singing By my friends all gathered around. As their sweet voices fade behind me, I will join … Continue reading →

Posted in aliveness, death and dying, hospice | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment