A Peaceful Place

My love for working with people who are living the last hours of their life must truly be getting deep inside of me.  I once had the good fortune to spend a weekend at a bed and breakfast in Woodfords, California and while there found myself easily slipping into thoughts of what it means to transition from this life to the next.

I was sitting in the great room that had a large picture window overlooking a magnificent back yard.  The grass was a vivid green and there was a small brook running through the yard.  Bright, colorful flowers lined the brook and ferns filled in where flowers did not grow.  A large tree provided shade for the backyard which soaked up the Western setting sun.

 As my husband and I gazed at this captivating and peaceful scene, my mind began to envision this room as the perfect room for a dying person to spend their last days.  What a gift to be surrounded by such peace and beauty!  As the sun set lower we could now see little insects flying in the air, though just a moment ago they were invisible to our eyes.  Behind the busy insects, a rocky mountain rose up to the blue sky.  Puffy white clouds drifted lazily past.

 I perceived that such a setting would be an ideal place for someone to reflect on his or her life—and to be able to look out on such a scene that depicted nature and natural rhythms of life would be so comforting!  My belief is that death is a natural part of life, a part of a natural cycle of ongoing vibrancy and fullness.  What we see when someone is beginning to make their transition is not reality.  Truly, what is happening is that the soul is making ready to shed a worn out, no longer useful, cocoon and to emerge as a new being.

 This peaceful vision filled me for quite some time, and I worked hard to move my mind into another arena of thought when the time came to go on to another activity.  I was left, however, with a lingering peace, and to this day, when I think of that lovely room and back yard, I feel rich, fulfilled, and at peace.  Truly, we each deserve to end our present existence in such a place.

About the Author

Paula Schneider, a Dialogue on Death & Dying facilitator, graduated with a nursing degree from the University of Texas in 1976 and later received a master’s degree in public health from the University of Texas in the early 1990’s. Ultimately, she worked as a Registered Nurse for 40 years, and her career included various nursing positions in Public Health and Hospice.