My boys were 7 and 9, playing in the front yard when a drunk driver lost control and killed them. I absolutely froze up. Friends brought me food, I stayed home for a year watching TV. Looking out the window at others enjoying the day puzzled me as my world stopped but theirs was going on so I painted out the light, the world and just sat.
I had a blessing with a return visit of the boys, a second chance, a wake up call. I couldn’t protect my boys from what their death was like but I could for others. I became a Hospice RN. I’m 70 now, retired but recently returned to Hospice to care for a neighbor’s 6 year old daughter after her near drowning accident. The Universe wasn’t ready for me to stop nursing, there was a need and I answered the Universe ‘yes.’
It’s not about what you get, it’s about what you give. The Universe moves through us not to us. Here’s my story.
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That’s a lot. I’m glad you found purpose.
You are a very strong man who has blessed many. My sister lost 3 of her 4 children. 2 as young adults. I am amazed at her strength.
It is just terrible that this happened to you.
Bravo and great job on how you responded.
Wow. I’m glad you found your purpose and peace. Ty for sharing your story 🫶
Wow. David, I watched the whole video and am changed for the better for it. Thank you. You would be great on TikTok if you’re interested—people would like your stories and your cooking. 💛
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I don’t consider you an ex-spouse or an ex-dad. Like I don’t consider myself an ex-daughter.
I consider you an angel for helping other families in their greatest times of need. Hospice helped us cope with loss of my mom, my MIL, and my dad. The Hospice Nurses and Staff were the kindest, most supportive people in the world.
A friend of mine was in a very similar situation. He chose differently, and not a single person blames him for it.
Thank you for choosing how you did.
What a powerful story, I am so sorry for your loss, and so proud of the man you are. It is hard with regular life, but making a contribution, and adding to society not taking away, well powerful.
Thank you for the inspiration. I lost my daughter (only bio child) to suicide after she witnessed the traumatic death of her fiancé. Five months later, my husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He died less than a year after. That was in January of this year.
I know somehow I will do something with my life to make them proud and keep their memories alive. Not now, but on the horizon. I want to contribute some good to the world which desperately needs more good. You are doing such good work, OP. They must be so very proud of you.
Sending you love and gratitude.
Oh my goodness. I am so sorry for your losses. 🙏🏼
Some of us are born with a gift. A gift that pulls us to do what we are meant to do.
You have that gift.
I could say more, but that’s all I’m going to say here.
OP’s post history is wild. Can’t tell if it’s karma farming or just attention seeking.
Hey, OP? I like you.
I so admire the courage and perseverance you worked so hard to create out of the worst of circumstances. You using it to help others is heroic. Love and Hugs.
Lovely nurse, thank you for caring for people who needed your skills and your heart. May the gifts you provided return to you many times over. 🫶You’re an example of the best among us and your resiliency is a powerful testament to the human spirit. ♥️💐
I have not experienced the level of loss you have. What you have shared with me is to not stop living and that my life experience can help others.
Thank you for sharing.
I’ve lost two husband’s and a child at 18 months old. It sometimes amazes me how strong I am. Thank you for sharing your story! 🫂
I retired from 38 years of being an RN 2 years ago. I’m 70 now and working two days a week taking care of a quadriplegic in his home for a nursing agency. I don’t think I was ready to retire yet. This guy needed help and the agency couldn’t come up with anyone to help him but, here I am. I’ll do it as long as I can.
What a truly tragic yet remarkably resilient story. You endured so much and yet are giving of yourself to help others transition through the end of life. Thank you for sharing.
I’m sorry. And thank you for sharing. I admire your strength and your grace. Wishing you well 💛
I can’t help but feel that these things happen to us to teach us how to care for others that go through the same things, because we can.
You went through the dark night of the soul but you came out again, stronger and willing to help others deal with death. That’s an amazing story. I have 8 chronic illnesses. I just had cancer surgery today.
Every issue I’ve gone through, and not just illnesses, I have tried to learn from it and become a beacon of light for others going through it as well because to me, that makes it more than just a tragic waste. That makes it a help for others.
It’s hard to see your pain in a collective pot. With these tragedies it makes safety engineers more motivated and diligent.
There are literally people devoting their entire career to preventing this from happening by assisting in driving and safety protocols.
I am very sorry your kids had to be in the tragedy group.
I hope they gave that man at least 20 years!
2 of 3 of my sister’s children were diagnosed with terminal illnesses within six months of each other. The boy was 2, the girl newborn (cystic fibrosis). They both died very young because there were not as many good treatments available as there are today. It really broke her. Their older sister lives with me now as my sister passed at a relatively young age.
I am inspired by your resilience. Bless you OP.
My God, in my eyes you are superhuman. How did/do you survive your grief and go beyond to assist others on their worst days? How does your heart endure?
You are a fantastic human. Sending you thanks for your kindnesses given to families during dark times; I can tell you from experience your words and actions made all the difference. You are so loved. ❤️
This is the answer. When life gives you the impossible, you find a way to give back and help others.
I’m so sorry this happened to you. I’ve gone through some pretty terrible shit in my time but this is just, wow. I don’t know how you had the strength to carry on. I don’t think I would have. Bless you for taking your loss and using it to help other people. If you ever need someone to talk to, you can inbox me.
Awww!!! Thank you for sharing your strength, love, and hope!!
Thanks for sharing. I’ve struggled through my life, to accept the fact that death exists, and that all of us are on limited time. It’s such a blessing to find a place of acceptance with it. Hospice is such a gift. Anything that accepts that death happens, and focuses in on quality of life as a temporary situation is a blessing.
I’m glad you stuck around and helped the rest of us with this importance learning.
I’m listening to your youtube – and me too! Not the specifics of your story, but of being really low and hearing voices who totally rescued me.
We don’t have enough in the way of an understanding that "voices" can be helpful, not just a sign of schizophrenia. It’s not always a disease. Sometimes those voices are healthy are right. And I don’t know where they come from, but it doesn’t really matter. I know they are good and I know they are loving. And I know I’m not crazy. Completely grounded here, and a person who’s had a near death experience and also, very occasionally, felt a present and heard a voice.
This was beautiful. I lost my son too and so many other people. Thank you for the inspiration. Sending hugs your way.
Sometimes the easiest way to stop the darkness from taking yourself is to stop it from taking someone else. I could never do what you do in hospice, but I try to in other ways.
You are a miracle – surviving what you did and going on to help others. Thank you 😊
Peace and love to you, brother. ❤️🩹