Caring Along The Way Poem by Paul McCann

Caring Along The Way
By Paul McCann

I once met an old lady who I cared for as a nurse,
I washed her and I dressed her, on my shower list she came first.
She told me she was sick of living and wished death would come,
I told her it wasn’t up to her when her life was done.
She sat there everyday surrounded by familiar things,
Some say its never over until the fat lady sings.
Weary of the long days and oh so teary in the night,
She was a nice old lady who died when the time was right.

I once met an old man, I cared for in a nursing home.
In thinking and reflecting he was happy on his own..
He liked to talk and helped him walk when he asked me to.
For himself the personal care issues where much to hard to do.
After he died I went back to visit his empty room ,
To say a silent prayer and then back to my work resume.
With his soul at peaceful rest and his body free from pain.
I said goodbye to an old man who left this mortal plain.

A young man came to the nursing home, we became good mates.
In busy times we said hello , for him I said time waits.
Though brain injured and dependant he needed something more,
Just a smile or recognition when you came in the door.
Peacefully in his wheelchair he watched people rushing past,
When pneumonia came by surprise they said he wouldn’t last.
Sometimes we look for people and discover that they have gone.
Suddenly there was a space, the young lad I knew passed on.

I’ve met lots of people in nursing homes some young, some are old.
One thing we share in common is a bond of trust we hold .
Its easy to get attatched when you’re caring for those who,
Depend upon you being there to daily help them through.
So as long as there are people who genuinely care,
Some one’s final moments will be much easier to bear.
God give me the strength to help others living here today.
As the day will surely come for us all to pass away.