Dear PPPC,

I spent Summer 2020 serving as a Palliative Care Chaplain in a NJ hospital. It was one of the most formative times of my life and certainly one of the most formative seasons of faith – what does it mean to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ; what does it look like to serve as a clergy person; and what do I believe about life, death, and resurrection? It’s an experience I would never wish upon anyone and it’s an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything.

One of the “tools” any Palliative Care team shares with those nearing the end of life or the family and loved ones, is called “The Four Things to Say at the End of Life.” Perhaps I’ve shared them with you sometime in these past four years. But just in case I haven’t, I’d like to share them with you now, they are quite simple:

Thank you.
I love you.
I forgive you.
Will you forgive me?

Three sentences, one question.

Use them all, or use only one, it doesn’t matter…it is amazing to witness the conversations and connections born of any of these four things near the end of life.

You might be asking, why is she sharing them with us now?

To which I would say: Why not now?

I believe they are not just for the end of life, but for everyday. I have witnessed these four phrases begin to heal fractured relationships – which is not surprising, for you will find each of them in our Holy Scriptures.

I hope that this week, you find each of them in your beloved friendships and relationships.

I wonder, is there someone or someones, who need to hear one or more of these from you?

See you in church!

Yours for the journey,
Pastor Molly