He humbly rode a donkey. He came victoriously. He came in peace. The crowds called “Hosanna!” He was exalted as “King of Israel” They carpeted his path with their cloaks and green branches They waved palm fronds The symbol of victory, triumph, peace and eternal life. He traveled to Jerusalem To celebrate the feast of Passover The Jewish people identified Him as their long-awaited earthly emperor They believed he would be their warrior King But he came as a King of Peace. I wonder, did He know His journey toward death, crucifixion Had begun? Did He look upon the people With love and gratitude, skepticism and mistrust, or maybe loving forgiveness Were the people pawns In a political, religious struggle Pawns in a power play on a grand scale Or just caught up in the crowd? Did he know That the palm fronds Would be replaced By a crown of thorns? That the Hosannas would be silenced Replaced with a new cry “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” That his title would be short lived As the people proclaimed “We have no king but Caesar!” Did Jesus know As he sat atop the donkey That this 15 minutes of praise and adoration Would be a prelude to rejection, Abandonment and death? Maybe He did Maybe He did not. What we do know Is that, when death approached He forgave “Father, forgive them For they know not what they do.” He forgave And He loved As He accepted His death As sacrifice for all.
Reaching the Summit
Scaling that peak The one looming Seemingly within reach, Around the next corner Until you look up And see there is still more to go Much more Hitting a wall Slumping down to the pebbled ground You take a drink of precious water Breathe deeply Gulping in the thin air Retying your shoes And rising You push on Toward that lofty goal. The art show A one-woman exhibit In a high-ceilinged expansive gallery As I entered through the mahogany doors The beauty and meaning overtook me My jaw literally dropped. There were no more false precipices This was the peak. Across the vast space, I was struck by the dance Of the slender white birds Flying, prancing, strutting Displayed in a manner Deserving of their beauty. The Pinnacle reached. People milling about Appreciating Smiling Greeting each other warmly No pandemic No war No hate No politics No sickness Beauty Merely and truly beauty. Young mixing with old Love filling the space Family together to celebrate the artist Along with friends and strangers A wonderful, wonder-filled evening A celebration well-earned Spirit Truly Took Flight And the view from the top Was breath taking!
Spirit Taking Flight Colleen O’Connor Exhibit Hoxie Gallery Westerly Library Westerly Rhode Island Month of March
Navigating Life’s Final Journey – Review
My book has been published for a few weeks now. I am elated with the response it has received. It has been my dream to write a book to help inform people in order that they and their loved ones might be able to attain more control and choice as they approach the end of their life. I have received wonderful feedback which has confirmed for me that the book is providing the information and encouragement it was intended to give!
Here is a sample of one of the reviews. Remember you can purchase a book through my website patocwriter.com http://patocwriter.com
Navigating Life’s Final Journey is a well written book about preparing to face life’s final journey. Pat writes from years of personal experience in the field of palliative care. She stresses the importance of communication and decision-making by family members. The real-life stories she shares stress the point that there comes a time in life when exit can be welcome. Things that need to be discussed and planned for are covered in detail with many options explained. Death does not always need to be prolonged when the person passing is struggling to an uncomfortable lifestyle that makes everything difficult and unnecessary for all involved. The book is full of helpful, thought-provoking stories and helpful information. Take time to read it and share ideas with your family and friends who have loved ones with Heaven in sight. Janis I.
Human Spirit
Our physical beings Are so fragile So vulnerable Our physical life As we have come to know it Can change instantaneously A fall A nearby sneeze Droplets landing indiscriminately An infection Mild or life changing Any number of circumstances Most beyond our control Can end or alter our physical life At any moment. Motor vehicle crash, earthquake, war Homicide, injury, abuse, illness And untold others. As people enter their later years The physical losses are more evident Our bodies less resilient But the human spirit Ahhh! The Human Spirit Inspires awe. The resolve of rescue workers In Turkey, Syria, NYC All over the world Putting their lives at risk To spare the suffering of others Human Spirit. The courage of the silver-haired man Making his way unassisted Across the vast floor of the restaurant Pushing his walker forward Dragging his thin, bowed legs One painful step after another His right ankle randomly turning under He ventures forth Smiling and nodding along the way His spirit unencumbered His Human Spirit. The hurried foot steps Racing down the hospital stairs Faces of consternation, determination, trepidation They descend flight after flight To the Emergency Department An energy fills the staircase An energy of love and compassion So powerful my heart- filled with awe overflows into my eyes As I stand back, giving them space To respond to the call “Code Blue. Pediatric. ED” Human Spirit undeterred. The family Putting their lives on hold Being there for their dad Allowing him to remain home As he nears the end of his life. Nearing the end, but living fully Others helping out Lending a hand, baking a bread Saying a prayer Day after Day after Week after Month They labor Out of duty, out of love The Human Spirit living on. The Slave Spirituals A testament beyond measure To this Spirit Not extinguished By the evils enacted Upon them by others “Swing low, sweet chariot . . .” Spirit of human beings Oppressed, enslaved in body But untethered in spirit Human Spirit. Human Spirit Surviving despite enduring Assault, loss, suffering, unimaginable pain Human Spirit Who we are Within our fragile shells Deep inside our physical selves That tiny nugget of hope The fountain of youth, of love Our truest selves When we look on in wonder Look on in awe And maybe beautiful disbelief When our hearts leap toward the warmth of the flame of the actions of others, We are witnessing the power of the Human Spirit And within that Spirit lies hope for our wounded world!
Merely a Vessel
9am 9/8/2021 Dad’s living room A mere 16 months ago I thought it was 2 years! Finally, it is complete Later today, we pick up 300 copies Of my book! It is a culmination Of wisdom and knowledge gained Over 4+ decades Of service 4 decades of listening, Caring, educating, Relieving suffering, Telling truth And giving choices 4 decades of conversations Labor is over now Today is delivery day. So, I lie awake wondering Is it enough? Will people benefit from reading it? Will they hear and understand That which I passionately believe? Has it come through In the words I have written And rewritten and rewritten More times than I care to count Beta Readers A fabulous editor So much has gone into This sixteen-month gestation. Today it will be born No more revisions No more corrections So tonight, I am a bit concerned Like the Christmas Gift The really special one That you put your heart and soul into You are excited to give it But tremulous also How will it be received? ~ This book is my gift To people everywhere In hopes it will bring them Comfort, clarity, meaning and choices As they face the prospect Of Life’s Final Journey. A journey we shall all face Someday So, as I release this creation I whisper a prayer That I have done justice to the topic That I have honored the hundreds (? thousands) of patients Who have allowed me to accompany them On their journeys Today I send my words out into the world Knowing, I am merely a vessel Meant to pour out for others What has been given to me May the words be a blessing To all who receive them. Amen.
Announcement!!
Just a quick note to share some exciting news!! For the past two years, I have been writing a book. It has arisen from my over 4 decades working as a nurse/nurse practitioner. Through writing, I am able to indulge my passion to work to empower people to make their own decisions about how they want to live the final stages of their lives! It is called Navigating Life’s Final Journey Conversations, Choices, Resources
I am picking up the books on Monday! You can learn more about the book and order on my website https://patocwriter.com/
or Facebook page Patricia O’Connor, APRN https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089218952158
I hope to put up a picture of the book itself on Monday!!!
Christmas
Can COVID “ruin” Christmas?
Can war “ruin” Christmas?
Can migrants beseeching entry “ruin” Christmas?
How about the cost to heat our homes?
The dearth of the stock market?
The suffering which abounds in our world today?
~
Christmas
The birth of Love
Love in human form
The Christ.
~
What can destroy love?
What can love eradicate?
Fear, suffering, evil
They chip away at love
Don’t they?
~
But the flame remains
Maybe deeper in hiding
Trying to protect, shield, withstand
The ravages of hardship
~
But always, Love can be birthed again
Love is borne
In every gentle touch
Every kind word,
Each compassionate act.
~
Christmas
The birthing of love
Can happen
In the face of hate
It Can dispel fear
It Can offer hope.
~
The gifts offered
To those we love
And those in need
Can bring suffering to its knees
As tears of gratitude and love
Mingle
~
Love
An act
A feeling
A response
Love was given in the form of a person
On Christmas Day
~
Love has been reborn
Again, and again
~
Christmas is a reminder
To celebrate love
To celebrate hope
To rekindle our flame
And offer it to others.
~
Christmas
Cannot be destroyed
But can be offered
To those whose vision
Is cloaked in suffering
~
Birth love
Find a way
To ignite your own spark
In your own way
Create Christmas
In your heart!
~
Merry Christmas!
Peace
Brilliant white cloaking the yard Resting upon branches Bringing beauty to the stark winter woods Animal footprints Tracing a path As they search for sustenance Ending at the Crab Apple Tree White frosting clinging to tree trunks Set against grey sky Winter The snow muffles sound Giving us pause As roads are cleared And fires tended We gather by the fire Warming hands Watching flames leap Coals radiating intense heat Peace The peace of winter Moments to pause To reflect On the beauty And preciousness of life Moments of gratitude For shelter, heat, nourishment And love The peace of winter Birds visit the feeders Bringing glimpses of color As they feast Holiday lights strung upon rooftops, On windowsills Candles lit Awaiting birth Announcing Miracle of Light Bringing hope and beauty to our winter world Peace Pause the frenetic pace Of holiday preparations And breathe Breathe in the beauty, the peace The quiet joy In our winter world Let peace fill your soul Warm your heart, your being And radiate out to our winter world! Happy Hannukah! Merry Christmas!!!
Life, Deaths and Resurrections
The Paschal Mystery it is called
In the Catholic Tradition
We live
We suffer
We live again, but differently
We are somehow changed.
How do we embrace the sufferings?
Embrace the deaths?
Knowing, trusting
They are a part of our journey
Leading to true wholeness
To Resurrection
It makes no sense in the moment
As we grieve
Suffering through loss, pain
It makes no sense
That there could be found
A greater healing; a new life
That we could attain a greater whole
As we embrace, accept
And trust
In the path of Mercy.
The dark times
Can seem unending
But, if we can reach out a hand
A smile, a kind word, a loving thought
As we journey our paths
Separate while joined
We might be a thread in another’s resurrection
Sharing our light
In even the smallest way
May bring hope
May help dispel the darkness
Sending in a fragment of life
A firefly to breakthrough the darkness.
May we trust in the mercy of Life
As we travel our own Paschal Mysteries
May we have faith in resurrection
Just as the fragile greens of spring
Open to the lush beauty of summer
As autumns flowers and foliage fade
Into the grays and browns of winter
As the frigid cold and ice cocoon us inside
Until spring arrives once again
So, too, do we travel
Through life, death and resurrection
With each cycle we can journey further
Toward our better, more authentic selves
With each rebirth may we know
greater peace, love and acceptance
May we find hope!
The Velveteen Rabbit
Imperfect. Never brand new again How do we embrace ourselves? Accepting our bodies As life makes it marks Remains one of life’s greatest challenges. Our body is a temple We were told growing up. A temple Dwelling place of the holy It was our job to keep it pure. To keep it perfect. How can that be done Without leaving it in the package? But can we love without opening Without touching and embracing Without getting a little dirty? The first time my eldest was injured I recall the torrent of love Which flooded by being. I can also still feel the fear Fear of loss, of her suffering and of my failure to protect her. That chipped baby tooth Held all those emotions While my heart glimpsed a love Greater than I knew existed. Imperfect. Our bodies are human Human ~ not divine They are mortal and vulnerable Yes, we can nurture them Feed them well Seek peace for our spirit And movement for out limbs We can immunize, do our screenings Take our vitamins And breathe deeply Breathe Deeply But our bodies Wear and tear and break They sag and wrinkle We sometimes creak and sigh and moan We sometimes hurt And it is okay It is not failure It is human. Can we embrace our humanity? Do we believe the Velveteen Rabbit Became more real More loveable As she lost her velvet sheen? Is the only way to invest the talents We have been given* To open the package And dare to live fully The one life we have been granted. Broken is not failure It is a side effect of living. Broken gives path for light Illumination for the inner self The true self When the exterior wrinkles, sags and cracks The outer shell is more flexible Creating room for our true being To stretch and morph Pain, suffering is a part of our human existence Can we accept it And not fear it While we work to alleviate it May it grow within us compassion For the suffering of the world. *Matthew 25:14-30
Crumbs for the Journey 