Neighbor to the North

I found out yesterday, via social media, that our neighbor to the north passed away yesterday. He had just entered home hospice at the end of May with an expected 5 or 6 months. He wasn’t afraid to pass, and indeed grumbled that the hospice staff was stopping in far too often 😏. They assured him visits would back off after intake was complete. His wife came over to let me know what was happening at the beginning of June. Her outlook was so positive, encouraging him with what they still had, could still do, including the benefits of hospice support, rather than what they they could no longer do.

I’m just devastated for her. She has family in from Hawaii until Thursday, and then said (to me) that she wants to be by herself and feel everything. He died in her arms. Everyone should be so lucky.

When they moved to the Island from Hawaii, my folks helped them ‘settle,’ get to know the Island. When my folks were aging/struggling, and particularly after dad passed, they were part of the village that helped my mom manage to stay in her home. My giggle to another neighbor yesterday was, “Dad and R are in heaven processing firewood and telling mom to stay out of the way!” 💜