While working in hospice, I was fortunate enough to come across a valuable resource by Michael Stillwater and Gary Malkin entitled “Graceful Passages: A Companion for Living and Dying.” The book and 2-CD set has become a part of me, its 12 different messages a balm for my spirit. I have already shared my favorite, “Walk On,” and would like to share another beautiful selection.
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Letting Yourself Be Loved
by Lew Epstein
No one has ever prepared us for this experience.
We think it’s the end – no.
It’s another beginning.
It’s knowing that you’re loved, knowing that you’re loved.
It’s not easy, letting yourself be loved —
because we’ve learned to judge ourselves —
we’re always judging ourselves.
But I learned to listen that I was loved.
I was loved!
And then I would forget that I was loved.
Those were the most painful times for me —
forgetting that I was loved.
So you’ve let yourself be loved while you’ve been here.
And you’ve judged yourself.
And you’ve forgotten that you were loved.
And you became alone…but you will always be here.
You are blessed. You are forgiven. You are an angel.
You have to listen that you’re loved and you have to forgive all the time.
Listen that you’re loved and forgive, all the time.
You are love.
Farewell my son.
Farewell my daughter.
Farewell my father.
Farewell my mother.
Farewell my sister.
Farewell my brother.
Thank you for letting me love you.
Thank you for letting yourself be loved.
God bless you.
Lew Epstein, whose loving words live on in the hearts of all who hear them,
made his graceful passage on March 28, 2003.
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Soul Gatherings 
this is beautiful. my mother spent her last weeks in hospice care. i was always amazed at the nurses and doctors who spent day in and day out working with the patients who would never leave (in an earthly sense). My mother and myself were so well taken care of.
I am glad your family had a good experience. My soul has always been with my hospice work, and in truth, I would like to get back to it. There is such a thing as a “good death,” once the loved one and family members accept the person’s terminal illness and limited time. That’s when the loved one can live their final days, rather than simply die. My blessings…