November 2, 2018
A Story from EveryStep Hospice: Clive Elliott
"You can help him go by telling him, 'It's alright if you have to go for a while. I will still be here.'"
This was one of the wisest things that Clive Elliott had ever heard, spoken to him by the hospice care nurses from EveryStep Hospice who were taking care of his partner, Daniel, when he was dying. Clive's heart slowly broke as he saw Daniel lose his health. He had been with Daniel every step of the way, never leaving his side until one day his friend, Lisa, invited Clive out for coffee.
Clive, riddled with guilt at the thought of leaving Daniel alone, almost declined Lisa's offer. But Daniel's hospice care nurses insisted he go and they stayed with Daniel. Before Clive left, he whispered the words that the hospice care nurses advised him to say. By the time Clive arrived home again, Daniel had passed away. …