A Heartbeat Stops - Another Begins

Thank you, I enjoyed reading this article

So very beautiful....thank you

Thanks for sharing,very sweet, have few tears in my eyes!!

Our job takes us a close as we can get to the final experience people have on this earth. We are privileged to be with them and their families. It is a gift to us in all the ways you have beautifully enumerated in your article. If we are really lucky it changes our lives for the better. Knowledge is power. Thank you for putting it into words. :heartbeat

It is sad that some people do not believe in going to be with Jesus after they die. What do they live for?!! Of course, it is every person's own opinions. But if we do not go to heaven, is there even a God?

All these issues haunt many of us. We want to believe, yet we do not know. We see so much death in this work, yet we see no spirit rise from the body, no proof that there is anything beyond. It is hard. We all have to settle these questions in our own hearts and minds in our own way. I know there is a spirit- I have had experiences that have convinced me of it, but what happens to that spirit after life has ended as we know it? I agree that no matter what your belief we need to do our best to make the world a better place in our time here, and try to celebrate life. Very well said and very moving.

It's important to remember that many people do not believe in the afterlife. So you need to keep your answers to the families as generic as possible.

What a stunning piece of writing. You must must must develop this incredible talent.

I'm sitting here wondering what I am to say to such an amazing article, but more importantly, to the questions it raises.I have never had any problems with fears regarding the afterlife, because I know there is one. Don't ask me how I know, I can't answer you, but it is a conviction so strong that I can only assume it comes from the power that created us all. You and I live on opposite sides of the planet, and will probably only meet in that afterlife. For me, it will be a singular honour to meet you.

Quote from cxg174All these issues haunt many of us. We want to believe, yet we do not know. We see so much death in this work, yet we see no spirit rise from the body, no proof that there is anything beyond. It is hard. We all have to settle these questions in our own hearts and minds in our own way. I know there is a spirit- I have had experiences that have convinced me of it, but what happens to that spirit after life has ended as we know it? I agree that no matter what your belief we need to do our best to make the world a better place in our time here, and try to celebrate life. Very well said and very moving.

I've been the nurse on shift to listen for a heartbeat 4 times in 2 months. I work in LTC. I've been present many times, more times than I can count in the 6 years I was a CNA. I really didn't think about it too much and just did the post-mortem care that was typical. I was definitely sad for the resident and would often wonder about their fate. This was especially true of one particular man who admitted to worshipping the devil. With most of the residents I would feel a sense of warmth, however w/this man I felt coldness. He was a nice enough man and I took care of him w/great care like any other resident. I'm a Lutheran and believe in heaven and of course hell for the unsaved. However my beliefs have changed as far as who is worthy. This change happened my 2nd qtr of nursing school. I was taking care of a homosexual man who had AIDS, he was around my age. He told me he wasn't scared to die b/c he knew where he was going. That day I thought long and hard about this man. B/c in the Lutheran religion since he chose the life of a homosexual that meant that he was doomed for hell unless he repented. However I knew in my heart of hearts that he believed in Jesus as his savior and he had a genuine beautiful heart. It's not my place to judge and I don't judge them though I do worry and wonder about their fate. Anyways as I was saying now when I listen for that heart-beat knowing it's not going to be there I often pray for them silenty, wish that they had peace....I don't know I can't even explain the process, but it's such a different thinking process than what I had as a CNA and I can't help but wonder why? What's different?

Quote from Kooky KorkyCan you share some of the experiences you refer to?I once read that some nurses or famiy who were with the dying person at the moment of death can tell that the spirita leaves the body. Some have seen something, or heard something, or saw/felt some type of movement maybe or felt air moving.Scripture says that each of us is a spirit, living in a body, and having a soul. Some believe spirit and soul are the same thing.