It is the most tragic thing to see someone so alone throughout life, only to have the entire family come around in the final hours of one's life.  For this man, Jim, this was the case.  He lived much of his life on the street, entrenched in multiple addictions.  He chose to have very limited contact with his family, both near and extended.  The reasons for this were likely multiple, and not easily understood.  Was this exclusively his doing, or due to feeling pushed away? I'm not sure anyone would know the answer to that.  He had been reluctant to share contact information about family members when he was asked.  As it became apparent that his end was near, we were fortunately able to contact a family member who then contacted the rest of the family.  Though alone through much of life, toward the end he had at least 15-20 family members by his side!

What a tragedy, that it takes death to draw loved ones near.  I don't know if they had a choice about it.  Jim had certainly not attempted to tell anyone he was in hospital, despite being in hospital multiple times. I got the sense that he wanted it that way - at least until the end.

What a difficult thing to watch his family struggling with the reality of this, death staring them straight in the face, not backing down.  Watching each member struggling with and coming to terms with this in their own way.   Some unwilling and unable to accept and let go.  Others so aware of how much the current interventions could actually be causing more distress to Jim.

What a beautiful thing, to watch how his family came around him and alongside each other to comfort each other in their great time of need.  The resilience, the grace and love.

How to care for a family - how to walk alongside them during this?  It's emotionally and physically taxing and draining.  How much of yourself do you give?  How much do you hold back? Hold on to?  What to do at the end of the day with all this - how to walk out of the hospital with all this weighing one down?  You try to pray, and find some solace and comfort in that. Knowing that as much as you care, He cares so much more.  His hurt and pain run so much deeper than our emotions do.  His love runs so much deeper as well.