Tag Archives: attitude

STATING THE OBVIOUS

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Amy Getter

Some say: people want to know when they are dying.  Some say: people need to be informed.  Some say: doctors should be better prognosticators.  Some say: denial is a good thing. We all have our biases.  I have had the … Continue reading →

Posted in living, unique | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

WHAT AN OVERCOMER LOOKS LIKE

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Amy Getter

Ettie never told me that “My mission in life is not merely to survive; but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style.”  (Maya Angelou).  But she had lived this… She thrived. … Continue reading →

Posted in family of the dying, hospice story, telling stories | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

GRADUATION DAY

Posted on June 2, 2015 by Amy Getter

Difficult to escape from my day job, I find myself honing in on statements while I am entertaining myself in the evening.  Such as from the movie Beginners, when the son says, “You’re not getting better, there is no stage … Continue reading →

Posted in hope, loss | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

HEARTS, FLOWERS and BUCKET LISTS

Posted on February 7, 2015 by Amy Getter

Hearts and flowers and sweethearts and love are mentioned everywhere in February. I frequently have opportunities to see gifts of love highlighted by the stark light of loss. This week, a bright bouquet of sun colored flowers were featured on … Continue reading →

Posted in daughter | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

DYING WITH YOUR BOOTS ON

Posted on July 7, 2014 by Amy Getter

Something I love about my job as a hospice nurse: there are many opportunities to be surprised.  One of my daily mantras is “expect the unexpected”.  As I drove down a switch-back gravel drive in the middle of nowhere, I … Continue reading →

Posted in family of the dying, living | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

LIFE IS LETHAL

Posted on February 22, 2014 by Amy Getter

 I read the word lethal in a poem, it leapt from the page and I had to stop a moment to consider the impact of the word; for us as humans, for a hospice nurse who watches people in their last hours … Continue reading →

Posted in living | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

THE TRAIN WHISTLE

Posted on January 6, 2014 by Amy Getter

Lying awake and listening to the train whistle in the early morning hours makes me want to get ready for a trip.  It also reminds me of the messages people share as their lives ebb and they prepare for their final journey. … Continue reading →

Posted in end of life care, hospice story | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

LUCKY TO BE ALIVE

Posted on December 8, 2013 by Amy Getter

“Flying the friendly skies” is still a slogan, and as I boarded my flight I thought about Albert Einstein’s most important question to ask. “Is the universe a friendly place?”.  I said to myself, “I hope so”… as I put … Continue reading →

Posted in living | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

THE FIDDLER

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Amy Getter

I watched an old movie last week, Fiddler on the Roof. We all ask what is the fiddler doing up there?  Tevye, the main character says, “Every one of us is a fiddler on the roof, trying to scratch out a pleasant, … Continue reading →

Posted in balance, brave | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

MIRROR MIRROR

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Amy Getter

My last visit with Ida and she grouches a little at Gerry while she tells me she definitely has good days and bad days. “Today is bad.”  This is rare: to hear a cross word exchanged.  Gerry has helped with all the daily chores; … Continue reading →

Posted in hospice story, loss | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment