Watching life end

I'm currently working with a terminal cancer patient. She's in her late 40s and is leaving behind a 20 year old daughter. This journey with her has been life-changing for me. I lost my mom to cancer at 18 and I can see now, as an adult, this transition through both the eyes of a 18 year old and an adult. I've watched this woman's body change, lose weight, swell up, the vomiting begin and I feel helpless that I can't make it all stop. If I could wave a magic wand and make the tumors go away and the pain stop...I can't.
But what I can do, is listen and love, massage and be there. I've made her laugh and smile, gotten her used to hugging and have been told that I'm making a difference in her life. And I realize that really all we can do with anyone is just be there. And let them know that we WILL be there.
Anyone who reads this post, I ask you to pray...chant, meditate, whatever you do for anyone that is suffering. And for those who help the suffering. It's not always the easiest of tasks, but the rewards are well worth the struggle.

In health!