Hi, Monty!

I realize this is an old thread, but I just came across it after being offline for a time and wanted to respond.

I worked for Hospice for 4 years, so going in I knew each of my patients would be dying. And they comprised a wide age range: the youngest patient I worked with was 10 and the eldest 89 or thereabouts, with every age in between. As in your situation, I developed more of a rapport with some patients than others and was especially sad when they died. But, oh how I treasure the time I spent with them and the life lessons ~I~ learned from ~them.~

Your post sounds like you understand the difference between keeping "professional distance" but still offering a nurturing relationship. And your patients are so very lucky to have one as caring as you.

Some of the funerals I attended were quite small as well. I felt privileged to be there and many times family members I had not met would approach me, wishing to talk or express feelings that were "safer" with a "caring professional" than a direct family member.

I resigned my hospice job after 4 years due to a variety of circumstances, but it is the ~one~ job I truly loved and hope to work there in the future.

{{{{{Monty_girl}}}}}}