Hospice brings partners for resident's last dance

[Are_grits_groceries]

Marilyn Coyne survived the Depression with little food and no heat in her parents' flat in Portland, Maine. She married and sent four kids to college. She saw her husband and one of their children die. And, in November, after three years of fighting breast cancer, she was told by a doctor that she had months to live.

In hospice care and losing weight in recent weeks as the cancer crept through her body, she confided to a hospice volunteer that she had a last wish, something that recalled summer nights of her childhood and joy with her husband. She wanted a final square dance.

Yesterday, her wish came true. Coyne donned a floral skirt, a crimson petticoat, and a red peasant shirt, and walked to the center of a nursing room social hall, where nine professional square-dancers, dressed in cowboy shirts and calico, waited for her.

It had been a decade since she last clasped hands with a partner, but as music played, the elfin Coyne deftly followed the dance caller's instructions of allemande left, promenade, and do-si-do. After five minutes of swinging her partner, and singing along with "She'll Be Com ing 'Round the Mountain," Coyne let her thin, 82-year-old frame fall into a padded wooden chair and took a deep breath.

"That," she sighed, "was wonderful."
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/03/20/shes_square_with_life/?page=1

Bittersweet and beautiful....May we all get a "last dance".....

[kstewart33]

1. Great post. Thank you! eom

[LostinVA]

2. Great -- 8:24am and I'm crying already

k&r

What a beautiful story. Thanks for posting.

[dbt]

3. This thread could so easily get lost

among the important Daily Specials on the DU Whine List. On behalf of fiddlers everywhere, I'm offering up a round of "Soldier's Joy" (key of D) and "June Apple" (A) in honor of Mrs. Coyne and everyone who granted her wish.

The Musicians now beg to inform The Dancers that we will play as long as they wish.

:loveya:

[Earth Bound Misfit]

4. Great story, thanks for posting...

:) Off to the greatest...

[lilgayghostgirl]

5. Aww, that's really sweet.

I'm very nostalgic and that was a sweet, sweet thing they did for her.

[barbtries]

6. dang!

i'm at work. not supposed to be crying at my desk :cry:
very touching story.

[No.23]

7. Special people who perform a special kind of caring.

This thread is as much a tribute to the people who work for Hospice as it is about Coyne's special event.

I had the special occasion to work for a Hospice as a volunteer many moons ago, and I was SO impressed with the people who work for Hospice.

Stories, like this one, are not atypical for Hospice agencies.

They perform very special services for the terminally ill and members of their families day after day.

It takes a very special kind of love to work with the terminally ill and their families.

And I'd like to acknowledge these heroes and heroines of Hospice publicly.

If you were or are affiliated with Hospice in any way, thank you for your specialness.

Thank you for your special kind of caring.

[aikoaiko]

8. Sweet post.

When I win the lottery, local hospice will get a bunch of money.

[malaise]

9. Truly lovely

K & R

[bertman]

10. Hospice is the closest thing to angels on earth that I know of. That is a beautiful story.

What a wonderful way to give someone happiness at her life's ending.

My lovely, kind, compassionate mother-in-law just died after a long and brutal struggle with cancer. Because of Hospice she was able to spend her final days in her home in a hospital bed that looked out onto her beloved garden and yard. She was delighted as she watched the birds and the deer as they came to enjoy the goodies we put out for them. The Hospice nurse made sure that she had everything she needed including meds to keep the pain at bay. And she helped the family to understand and cope with the final stages of our beloved mother and friend's life.

Anyone who is thinking of a worthy organization to donate to should consider Hospice. They are a treasure in a time of need.

[newtothegame]

11. Cute; thanks for posting this :) n/t

[acmavm]

12. I am so happy for that woman. People really cared about her.

We should all be so lucky.

[grace0418]

13. Lovely story. Thank you for posting it.

I'm crying.

[Are_grits_groceries]

14. To a last dance... nt