My Years as a Hospice Volunteer and Counselor

Pam was a hospice patient for Providence Hospice of Seattle. When I was assigned to work with her, I was given her name, phone number, and address but no other information. She had requested comfort care (massage) from a volunteer. I called to make an appointment and learned that she lived with her mother. Pam was thirty-four years old. Pam’s mom explained her daughter had brain cancer that had spread throughout her body. Pam, her husband, and eight-year-old son had moved in with the mom when she was put on hospice. From June 2002 (Pam) I never noticed peonies much until I met Pam could not have said what they looked like or the difference from dahlias Now I see them everywhere bearing bountiful soft petals bouffant skirts for a ball gown I see them and remember pretty Pam Who loved the peonies and died at thirty-four