She was nearing the end of a long and interesting life. Her birth was announced on the party line in her rural community’s first telephone system. Her death, which would come soon, would be shared on Facebook and via cell phone. She had graduated with a degree in Home Economics from the University of Minnesota in 1938 and had worked for a meat packing company during and after World War II where she tested recipes and taught housewives about food safety. She wrote cookbooks, nurtured friendships, volunteered incessantly, and raised a family.

 

 

She was admitted to the hospital after a slow, uneventful decline. “Failure to thrive,” physicians call it. She often forgot whether she had eaten breakfast or whether her family had come to visit. Her stamina was gone and she was no longer interested in the newspaper or the world around her. She did not care that the baseball season was nearly complete and that her beloved Chicago Cubs were, once again, well out of the running. For her family and her medical caregivers, it was a time of sadness and farewell, but at 95, not unexpected.

 

 

I stopped by her room. She was dozing on-and-off.

 

 

“It’s so good to see you,” she said. “Are you working hard today? Lots of patients in clinic?”

 

 

“No, it’s Sunday. No work today.”

 

 

She smiled and closed her eyes. Her white hair, usually well kept, was matted to her forehead. The TV was on but muted. I sat down and took her hand.

 

 

On her bedside table were her glasses and her Bible – a well-worn companion that had been patched back together years ago with contact paper. A note from one of her grandchildren sat next to a water pitcher.

 

 

Suddenly, she opened her eyes and looked at me intently. I was startled. “What is it? Are you having pain?” I asked.

 

 

She squeezed my hand. “Oh, I’m fine. Tell me,” she said. “I was wondering. Do you think I will die today?”

 

 

In my years of medical training and practice, this was a question for which I had never prepared. Not infrequently, a cancer patient will ask me to estimate how long they have left and in those instances, I try to provide them with a realistic range of weeks or months. No one, though, had ever asked the question quite like this.

 

 

“I don’t know,” I replied, looking at her for any reaction. She was not frightened. “I am certain, though, that the time is getting very close. It might be today but I don't know for certain.”

 

 

She closed her eyes and sighed. “That’s okay,” she said. “I’m ready. I’ve had a wonderful life.”

 

 

“That’s good to hear,” I replied not knowing what else to say. “You have, indeed, had a wonderful life. It is comforting to know that you are prepared to go.” She drifted off to sleep.

 

 

What, I wondered, had triggered her question? She knew that my work with cancer patients had given me ample opportunity to accompany families through their journeys. On the other hand, I knew that she had plenty of experience with death, as well. She had attended dozens of funerals over the past decade. Her husband and nearly all of her friends were gone. 

 

 

She did not, in fact, die that afternoon. The next evening, though, while her Bears were beating the Packers on Monday Night Football, her heart beat its last.

 

 

The rest of the world went on, but for a time, my world stopped. My family and I completed arrangements for my mother’s funeral, a task made easier by her grace, her faith, and the simple gift she gave to us when she looked at me and said, “I’m ready.”

 

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About the Author

Bruce Campbell, MD, grew up in the Chicago area, graduating from Purdue University and Rush Medical College. He completed an otolaryngology residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin and a head and neck surgery fellowship at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. He was a faculty member, ENT specialist and surgeon with Froedtert & MCW health network from 1987 until his retirement in 2021.

Joe

Wonderful article. Death is inevitable. Our death phobic society can learn much from such wisdom.

Peter Medved

Its great you take the time to write your blog and share your experiences, Bruce. Sorry to hear about your mother. Life happens and then not happens. That's my writing for today. You use your intelligence wisely. There I go again.

William Hocking

Bruce, what a poignant story, so nicely told. Sorry to hear about your Mom, but sounds like she did have a "wonderful life."

Betsy Polak

Beautiful story Dr. Campbell. Brought tears to my eyes, and i'm sure many others. A memory of your mother you weren't expecting, but surely will never forget. Thanks for sharing.

Gina

Your stories have been a high point of my time at Froedtert. Of all the good ones (have read everyone) this one brought tears. My deepest sympathies. Your mothers greatness shines in her son.

karen raisler

A touching reminder of a life well lived. A pause in my afternoon to be touched by sweet memories.

Chris McLaughlin

Thank you. As I read this I found myself getting stuck at the "you have, indeed, had a wonderful life." What about all the people whose lives are not so wonderful, I stewed. And then I realized it's our job as storytellers to show the wonder in any life we encounter, as you do. I think part of the wonder of yours is sharing these moments.

Lisa Kodadek

Beautiful.

Jeanne McCue

Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful, heart-warming story.

Pam Parker

A beautiful and moving post. Thank you for sharing.

Kathy Myers

Such a sweet, tender, loving reflection.