“This isn’t a job. I love it!”

The holidays are almost here…a difficult time for anyone who’s loved one has died. We know. And we care. In addition to embracing our residents, we are privileged to also care for their families. In our year-end appeal letter, we shared some thoughts from Kathleen, one of Gateway’s caregivers, about what this work means to her. In her words…

Kathleen cared for a dear friend who died of lung cancer. She then became a breast cancer survivor, while her beloved husband Bryan died of cancer in 2018. She wondered, “What can I do to honor Bryan?” She joined the team at Gateway. In her words…

“The privilege of being here for those in their final journey gives meaning to life. I am there temporarily to help them. If they can die in peace, then I’ve done my job and I can think of them with a smile.”

“I am not here just to take care of the person in the bed, but equally so the family. I am at home while I am there. So, I want them to feel like this is their second home too while their loved one is there. I want them to know that we are there to nourish them and to support them emotionally. I care for these families as if they were my own in that situation.”

“It is a true privilege to hold the hand of someone taking his or her last breath.”

“I meet people who are not afraid to die, but fear the dying process.  We are there to ease that transition and calm their fears.”

“This isn’t a job. I love it!”

Kathleen sports this tattoo on her forearm: “No one fights alone.” She embodies the peaceful compassion, empathy and love that is the essence of our team as they care for our residents and their families.