25.8.04

The things people say

Truth comes with death.
Somehow people cut to the bone with their words when only a few might be left.
In a very interesting workshop sponsored by Hospice, the idea of communicating with the dying when they speak in metaphor and how to interpret the meaning was brought to mind. My mind.

Not everyone in the Palliative Care Roster speaks in metaphor, some of them do not speak at all. But when it is a long palliation from a cancer you tend to see it towards the end.
G.L.: "Why are they killing me like this? Tell me it is not necessary."
A.M.: "The dealers were here again. I told them you were coming. I told them to watch out. They have guns you know. And drugs. You better call the Office for backup."
R.W.: "It is in the other room now. Help me God help me... it killed him and now it is here for me."
B.R.: "Take a message to my wife."
M.S.: "You don't fool me. You are a witch. Get away from me. "
K.D.: "My angel, you are an angel. God sent you. How did you know to come? How did you get in here? Is it all right?"
E.B.: "My angel sweetie let me sleep. You better get a blanket it is going to be a long sleep."
B.B.: "It was the war that did it. I knew this would come back. I wish you could see it."
N.R.: "I know that doesnt really make sense. We were all dead then. R__ was the first to get past it. I wonder if he knows how to do it?"
My favourites are the people who want to pack. Or they want to buy a car or charter a bus or taxi. The trip is going to be soon. Make sure you are ready!

And then there was Flo: "The chocolate is behind the baby powder. I think you can take it now."
For some reason it made perfect sense at the time.