A new top for Teddy

A few years ago, when I was a Healthcare Assistant, I was caring for a young man who was married with two young daughters. When I arrived at their home it was tea time, with mum in the kitchen and the children playing and lots of giggles in the room.

The young man who was our patient was settled in his bed, and he didn't need me so asked if I could see if his wife was ok.

I chatted to his wife in the kitchen and his daughters were there, they wanted mum to help make a top for their teddy bear. I could see mum was busy with cooking dinner so I offered to help... putting my sewing skills to the test!

We sat in the lounge and started cutting out a template for the teddy bears new top. It was around 7pm and the TV was on in the background, I remember it was Emmerdale and the scene was unfortunately a funeral. This prompted the little girls to speak about their dad dying. It was surreal, not a conversation I thought I would be having that night, however they spoke very openly about their dad and things they were going to do to keep his memory alive. We chatted for a while all the time continuing to sew a new top for teddy.

By the time my shift was finished Teddy had a whole new outfit, Mum managed to cook dinner and deal with some other bits and Dad was settled and content that his girls had some one on one time doing things kids should be doing.

I felt I had not really done much during my visit but when the wife saw me to the door she was so thankful of my time that I spent with the children.

This is what I love about our Hospice, no two days are the same and we have the time to give to those who need it.