Dear Lois,
I underlined your name because after Dad passed and I drove home, I finally looked at your business card and realized that I have been calling you the wrong name since the day I met you; how embarrassing! I am truly sorry for the error but it made me realize I need an appointment with my eye doctor because I thought your name badge said "Lori" the first time I met you and I never looked at your name badge after that. Please accept my apologies and poor eyesight. However, I could clearly see the type of person you are and I understood that you never corrected me because I was in a stressful situation.
I know that when you first entered our room you said your name but I wasn't truly listening - I wasn't ready for your presence. "Nice of her to stop by, I thought, but Dad WILL get better - if someone will just give him a chance." Even in his very last moments, I was still questioning - mainly because at some point early in the experience, I verbally agreed to the hospice situation but obviously wasn't convinced it should be that way.
The more you spoke to me and relayed your experiences, I quickly realized that you have one of the toughest jobs in health care - you truly do. The arrival of a hospice professional represents an end and that is why it is so difficult for family members to meet hospice personnel - but you already know that.
Early on and not long after we met, I realized that God sent you to me and my family and I found myself looking forward to your arrival as it gave me a great sense of relief. He sent you to us because you are a person who had the strength and confidence to help a strong-willed, passionate family throughout a difficult journey. I will be forever grateful.
I'm not sure what happened but even on his last morning here on earth, my mind seemed to do a 360 turn and I found myself questioning the decisions that had been made. It was only after you spoke again of all the events leading up to the decision and what the future would have looked like, that I finally had peace. It was no coincidence to me that Dad chose that very moment to pass through as he knew I had peace and it was the environment he wanted - me on one side of him, you on the other and my brother and two nephews in the room. He chose that moment because he knew I needed you there.
It is obvious that you were trained well as I never questioned your knowledge or opinion but it is your heart and compassion that helped us all to accept the facts you were presenting.
To say "thank you" seems inadequate and certainly doesn't capture my gratitude. You are truly an exceptional person - dealing with death on a daily basis and the flood of emotion that comes with it. From the bottom of my heart, I am extending my deepest gratitude to you for all you have offered me and my family and for the compassion and energy you will continue to extend to those in need. If my father was still here and able to speak, I am positive he would have thanked you as well.
I commend you and all who work in the hospice field and health environment as the physical and emotional drain on individuals has to be enormous. I truly hope there is some type of offering for each of you that enables you to restore yourselves.
You are an exceptional person and one I will never forget. I wish you an abundance of love and peace as you have selflessly offered this gift to me, my father my entire family.