“My Precious Boy”
Nothing can more eloquently express what Hospice means
than a real letter from one of the families we served.  Pat Jones, mother of Darrell Sholar., graciously gave us permission to share her words of gratitude.  . . .

Dear Hospice Staff,

One year ago, on March 20, my son Darrell Sholar passed away at your facility.  He had been admitted on the 19th at about 9:00 pm or so, after we were unable to care for him at home.  My son went by the name of Bud, and although he was 50 years old, he was still my precious child.

Bud was in a desperate state that night and was very combative.  We knew that it was the cancer of the lungs and brain that caused him to be that way, but I have thought so often since that the staff there only knew him in that condition.  It was a long way from his normal.  But even with him being that way, you all were so very kind and patient, doing everything possible to make it better for him and for us.  As a retired RN myself, I have been so grateful to all of you because I knew that he was not the only person that you had to care for, but it seemed that he was, with all your attention to him.  I don’t remember all your names, but I will never forget your faces and loving care.  You truly were a shining example of your chosen profession that night.

I am enclosing a picture of Bud that I love.  He was the kindest little boy you ever saw, and no Mother has ever had a son that showed her that he loved her for his entire life as much as Bud did to me. . . A day or two before he died he was sleeping and I was sitting close to his bedside.  I lay my head down on the side of the bed and felt him move.  I looked up and he was smiling at me and said, “Mom, you gave me life, and then you gave me life again”.  I don’t know what he meant by that, but evidently it made him happy. 

The last year has been the hardest of my 70 years, and I miss Bud more than words can
say.  A great-granddaughter born eight days after Bud died has been the absolute redeeming gift from God.  Isn’t it wonderful that He has plans for us that He knows we will need in order to get through the fire?

This picture was made in happier days when Bud was still that little boy to me.  Just look at it occasionally, and then pat yourself on the back for the marvelous job you all did that night.  You are all angels.  I will never forget you.

Many, many thanks and lots of love to all,

Jay and Pat Jones
Bud’s mom and step-dad