"My Going Away Party"

It was Lynne's idea, the party. Months into her diagnosis of lung cancer, post radiation, she knew she wasn't going to get well. Never one to miss a celebration, Lynne certainly didn't want to miss the party that she knew would happen after her funeral. She decided to have her own "going away party" while she could be there to see and thank everyone she loved.

When her friends and family received the invitation, Lynne began receiving phone calls.

"People would call and ask, 'where are you going?'" said Lynne, "and I'd say,'I'm going to heaven to hang out with Big Jim and Jesus!'"

Big Jim, Lynne's husband of 47 years, died 12 years ago. Their first date was on the night they graduated from 8th grade, and instead of joining their classmates on the senior trip four years later, they ran away to get married.

Blessed with three children, today there are 5 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren under the age of nine."That gives you a little celebration stuff right there," said Lynne, "to have the '9 under 9' all together!"

It was a grand party, all purple (her favorite color), balloons and butterflies,something she'd always loved, and it lasted most all the day, a big dessert spread, with lots of friends and family, many of whom journeyed long distances to share in the celebration.

The party was just what Lynne wanted, and the mood was festive and joyful. "When they heard of my diagnosis, people would say, 'I'm so sorry,' and my response was, 'Don't be sorry—this is the highlight of my life. Going to heaven is what I've been waiting my whole life for!'"

Lynne became a patient of Hospice of East Texas in July of 2010, and found that her view of life and approach to death perfectly mirrored the hospice philosophy of living each day to the fullest and viewing death as a natural part of life.

Determined to make each day count, Lynne set about creating memories for her family. She sold her home so that she could have the money to do some things that were important to her. "I won't be here to go to my granddaughters' weddings, so I put aside some money for each of them to buy their wedding dresses. On the day they get married, their 'Nanny Goose' will be there with them," she said. She also created education funds for her grandsons to give them encouragement and a head start on their future.

I've loved being who I am these last few months," Lynne added."I'm trying to get as much of me as I can on paper, saying who I am and what I'm doing and why. I think it matters. It matters to me now and it will matter to my family later on."

Even when she was admitted to HomePlace, Lynne's bright spirit shined through.

There's so much to enjoy here!" she exclaimed one fall afternoon as she shared her story. "Anyone who's afraid of dying is a fool. We're all going to die! It's coming your way—don't be afraid of it. Life is great! New things just keep happening to me, even now. I'm meeting new people, making new friends. I'm reading the most interesting book, and Beverly, the volunteer, is coming by later, and we're going to watch a movie together."

Quick to praise and always expressing her gratitude, Lynne was thrilled that we wanted to tell her story and capture something of her spirit for the Hospice newsletter. "I hope someone gets peace and joy from my story, because that's what life is all about, isn't it? Searching for peace and joy?"

Lillian Bishop passed away at Hospice HomePlace on December 29, 2010, with her family surrounding her.

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“One More Time”

For William Taylor, fishing has been a way of life. He spent much of his working life as a fishing guide, taking clients to the best spots on East Texas lakes, sharing his knowledge and assuring them of a good catch. 

But fishing wasn’t just a way to make a living. Mr. Taylor just plain loved to fish and whether he was working at his job or on his own time, he was drawn to the water. A stringer full of fish was satisfying, of course, but it was more than that. The quiet time spent by an East Texas pond, surrounded by trees and warmed by the sun was a time a man could catch his breath, slow down his thoughts, enjoy the beauty and the quiet.

Since his admission to Trinity Rehabilitation and Care Center in San Augustine, Mr. Taylor has missed the water, and he has missed fishing. When he shared his thoughts with Anna Cooper, his social worker from Hospice of East Texas, that was all it took!

On a warm spring day, Mr. Taylor went fishing one more time. With him were Willard Birdwell, a Hospice volunteer, Brother Sonny Scarbrough, a local pastor, and Jessica Henderson, Hospice’s Director of Community Outreach for Deep East Texas.  Brother Sonny had plenty of tackle and knew a friend with a stocked pond that was easily accessible for Mr. Taylor’s wheelchair. Jessica loaded up snacks and drinks, and Mr. Birdwell brought the worms.

It was a perfect afternoon, the lake shimmering in the sun, not too much conversation, a really good catch.  Everyone in the group appreciated the special moments together and the joy on Mr. Taylor’s face as he reeled in fish after fish. When they returned to the Care Center, Mr. Taylor was very, very tired, but he was also very happy, and he had a question for the fishing crew from Hospice. “Why did you choose me?” he asked.

Why, Mr. Taylor?  Because at Hospice we know that every day is a gift, a treasure not to be wasted but to be spent doing what brings meaning and joy.  Because we knew that going fishing one more time mattered to you – and so it mattered to us at Hospice of East Texas. Because you are our patient, Mr. Taylor, and it is our honor and privilege to share these days with you, no matter their number, and to make them the best they can be.