As a staff, ICU, & OR nurse - I have been in the presence of many patients transitioning to The Next Thing. I have run codes on many patients as well - most don't come back to us once they get a taste for whatever the hereafter holds. So with these two experiences in mind - death has become a comfort. Sometimes I wonder if life on this Earth - with all its pain & heartache might just be the purgatory/hell most fear exist beyond the veil. Maybe we got it all backwards.

Thank you for sharing your journey - this was an excellent piece.