Bill!!

  I stared down at this shell of a person.  His yellowed skin felt cool
under my touch, as transparent as tissue paper and just as fragile.  His
eyes lolled back in his head , staring at some unseen world known only
to me as DEATH.  I watched his lifeless body for a long time, wondering
what his life had meant.  Had he himself, in the great wars, looked down
at the body of a fallen soldier just as I was doing now with the same
questions in his mind?
  Only moments before, an army of doctors, nurses and residents worked
feverishly to restart his tired heart.  It didn't matter that cancer had
claimed almost every organ of his body, or that his last week was spent
between agonizing pain and welcomed morphine induced unconsciousness. 
The only thought now was that "his heart was strong".
  While these professionals invaded hid body with tubes, needles, drugs
and electricity to return this life back to him, I stood back and
prayed.  I rayed for his family.  I prayed for his soul, but most of
all, I prayed these people would fail their mission.  No person could
welcome the life they were offering.  A life with no life.
  They did fail.
  As quick as they entered, they left, leaving behind their paraphenalia
of offered miracles for me to dispose of.  Not once had any of them
spoke to him or considered him as their equal, but used words like
"patient, and client."  He had a name!
  His name was William to me, Bill to his wife, Dad to the two sons I
spoke with over he weeks and Gramps to he cherubs that came to visit on
Sunday's.  Now I was alone with William and I removed the tubings from
him and tried to retain a little of his dignity.  Once done this the
best I was able, I invited his waiting family in to say good-bye to
their loved one.  Although nervous at first, I reassured them with hugs
and yes tears, that William was at peace and would welcome heir
goodbyes.
  I put my arm around his wife and we stared in, followed by the rest of
his family.  I stepped back and allowed each one the time to say goodbye
in their own way, thankful I had the time to send with them which so
often isn't available.  As they left they thanked me and complemented
the care  he had received.  
  Smiling through tears, I turned back to William, held his hand, kissed
his cheek and said my goodbye to his peaceful body........