Time spent with those closing in on the next phase of life causes reflection.
Here is a comparison I have been thinking about:
Whether in hospital, hospice or home — we can be in a "death watch" or "health care" mode. And, you can switch modes in a short period of time. Death care deals with pain management, health care with revitalizing nutrition. Death care has in mind "death preparation", health care "death reflection."
Six years ago, we were on a death watch with Jill. Well, perhaps it was more on the borderline. Jill had surgery planned so there was hope. But as the surgeon’s notes read — she was in such deteriorated shape she probably should not have survived the surgery.
Prior to the surgery, we were in the mode of death preparation. Amazing how priorities are clarified. "I’m not doing that" became an understandable and not infrequent statement. We sold a house to get one that was more appropriate. We reexamined our wills. We spent time together.
We are now in health care mode. We will often reflect on death, but the grip is not quite as strong.
Sometimes I wonder if there is a greater reality in death watch! Certainly there is a sense of the important. For a Christian there is no fear (OK, pain does bring pause!) and a heightened sense of God’s presence. Oh, that we could maintain that grasp in our hectic, daily lives.