Hospice

'I am so thin" she said while tears ran down her paper thin cheeks.I put my arms around her not knowing what I could say to make her feel better.To say 'no you are not' would be an out right lie.I could have said 'don't worry, you 'll be nice and plump soon"but I knew she knows better.I asked her name instead."Soma", she said.


Looking at her frail figure in my arms , I was overcome with so much of emotions that I was at a loss for words. Unfortunately this silence made her think of the very topic I was trying to avoid."They said I'm going to die", she whispered with tear filled eyes.I held her fragile hand and looked in to her tired eyes."This is a very good place with such caring people who look after you well,you do like it here don't you?"She said yes.I continued to hold her hand and cradle her light body.But she would not give up.Again she whispered that they said she is going to die."We all are going to die some day..Nobody is here to stay forever..Not you.Not me."I was cought up in a whirlwind of emotions and at that very moment I would have done anyting to make her not feel that way.But I was helpless, as we all are before death.


After all what could you say to a cancer patient,who knows her days are numbered?