In the Midst of Life: A Hospice Volunteer's Story

All his life Charles Rose moved in the company of young, vibrant students. Why should he give a thought to death or the protracted illness that sometimes precedes it? Rose admits, "In the past my support of worthy causes hadn't been impressive." That would change when he was introduced to Hospice of Hope. "In the Midst of Life" is a well-crafted, heart-warming account of how the author was introduced to Hospice, of how his role as a volunteer played out, and of how the experience modified his mindset. Reluctant to assume his role at first, he was like the prophet: "Ah Lord! I am but a child and cannot speak." But shortly he spoke and read words of comfort to the sick and the dying. While reading "In the Midst of Life," I was reminded of another great book that addresses the same subject. In "Anam Cara; Spiritual Wisdom from the Celtic World," John O'Donoghue reminds us that it is our sacred duty to comfort the dying. He writes, "It is an incredible privelege to be with someone who is making this journey into the eternal world." While reading "In the Midst of Life," one gets the sense that Rose felt priveleged and humbled by his encounter with the terminally ill. Well done!

Prof. Rose has that rare gift of being able to paint with words so effectively that the reader becomes immersed in his tales and feels that he is actually experiencing them. And the experience of being a hospice volunteer proves to have not only the expected times of sadness-those of saying goodbye all too soon to people on their way out whom you've just met, people you wish you had known for years-but also times when the spirit is uplifted through observing how heroically the terminally ill bear the vissicitudes of the dying flesh and triumph in spirit. Yes, Rose convinces us that the volunteer's life is indeed enriched through the vital service he performs. A very good read.