Author: nicoledepace

For J____

~ nicoledepace ~ Leave a comment
Yesterday, I promised
to see you again.
I listened to the deafening silence
As you confronted the tenuousness
of your existence
I hugged you
As your frail body was
wracked with the sobs of
your lost hope.
Today, I held your hand
and felt the coolness of
the peace coursing through
your veins.
I said goodbye
And, you’ll never know
I was here.
I promised. Goodbye.
J_____, full of grace.

Good Work

~ nicoledepace ~ 1 Comment

I am a palliative care nurse practitioner working on the South Shore of Massachusetts.  My work is rewarding and intense and writing or journaling has been a years long practice in my self-care routine. I am finally feeling brave enough to make my thoughts, observations and reflections public. These words attempt to capture the legacy of my patients and my work. Good and so many other four letter words describe this work and there is always an adventure to be had as I enter my patients’  homes and they share their wishes, hopes, fears and struggles with me.