he’s 74 years-old. Her hat and gloves keep her warm, but the personal touch means so much more right now. The disease process has caused her health to decline much faster than she knows.
Cecilia Higdon, of Clarkson, has colon cancer and wishes to receive the communion that Hospice Chaplain Mary Jo Kruer is there to offer.
Kruer is also there for support. She talks, she listens and she prays.
They all pray.
Mary Jo, Cecelia, and her husband George join hands in prayer.
“I hate not going to church, ’cause that was my whole life,” Cecelia said. “I guess the end comes sometimes.”
Mary Jo feels comfortable in this situation. She’s been here before and has always felt she belonged.
“I knew this was something that I felt gifted to do,” Mary Jo said. “It’s a way of living out my call to be with people.”
Hospice of Central Kentucky has allowed her to be with those who need her. Her touch and comforting words will not stop the inevitable – naturally, nothing can.
The touch of Mary Jo’s hand remains constant on Cecelia’s skin for the entire time of their visit.
The room is peaceful.
Cecelia died just three days after Mary Jo’s visit.
Chet White is a senior photojournalism major from Louisville. He can be reached at whiteca3@wku.edu.
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