Lessons from "The Station of Life and Death"

Knowing they don't have much time left, many patients no longer talk about money or status. Instead, their focus is often on relationships, loved ones, past memories, and things left unsaid.

The cover of the book "The Station of Life and Death". (Photo: Linh Bao)

Tri Viet-First News Creative Culture Company and Dan Tri Publishing House have just released the book "The In-between" (original title: The In-between, translated by Minh An) by author Hadley Vlahos.

Hadley Vlahos is a full-time nurse working in end-of-life care. She began her career at age 22, pioneering a movement to change public attitudes about end-of-life care, and is also a social media star with her TikTok channel nursehadley boasting over 2.1 million followers and her Instagram account over 500,000 followers. With deep understanding and empathy, Hadley has shared heartwarming stories with millions of viewers online.

In "The Station of Life and Death," Hadley chronicles 12 true stories of patients she has cared for. Some were once well-off, others homeless. Some were successful, others unsuccessful. Some traveled extensively, while others spent almost their entire lives confined to their homes.

Each person faces death in a different way. But through them, Hadley sees that death is not just a tragedy; sometimes it is also a time when people stop resisting and look back on their lives more clearly.

"The Station of Life and Death" is the author's story of self-transformation while caring for those who are dying.

The final days depicted in the book are not just about loss. There are also belated apologies, recalled memories, handshakes, and gratitude.

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“The Station of Life and Death” is also Hadley Vlahos’s story of self-transformation while caring for those nearing death. Before becoming a nurse, Hadley had difficult years: losing a close friend, a crisis of faith, a very young pregnancy, and struggling to find a new direction in life. As she learned to be there for others when they were at their weakest, Hadley also learned to confront her own wounds.

These patients taught Hadley through the way they lived their final days. Each time she said goodbye to someone, Hadley learned a little more about what was worth holding onto in life. As she wrote: “I told myself to live for today, not to fear tomorrow, a promise I made to myself when I started my hospice work.”

Or, as in Elizabeth's story, the author writes that the patient's wisdom and positive attitude toward life, even in the most difficult circumstances, inspired millions, including Hadley.

Elizabeth's final words, "Go ahead and eat some cake," changed Hedley's perspective on herself and the meaning of life. Looking back after years of change, the author now feels foolish for wasting so much time worrying about her weight instead of living positively and doing the things she loved and cared about.

Through each story, what lingers in the reader's mind are simple lessons.

What's valuable about "The Station of Life and Death" is that it makes us less hesitant to confront death. Normally, we rarely talk about death, but when forced to, most of us tend to speak with fear or avoidance. We're used to thinking of death as a source of pain, for both those who die and those left behind. But the patients in this book offer a different perspective.

Through each story, what resonates with the reader are simple lessons: when death approaches, people often see clearly what truly matters. Sometimes it's just an unspoken word of love, a hug, or one more time sitting beside someone they love.

Therefore, although the book is about people who are about to die, it's not just sad. It makes us question how we are living with the people around us. Hadley doesn't say anything groundbreaking. She reminds us that life is finite, and it is this finitude that makes each moment precious.

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According to First News, "The Station of Life and Death" doesn't make death any less painful. But the book helps us view it more calmly, as a part of life rather than something to be avoided. For those who have been with loved ones in their final days, these pages can offer a sense of understanding.

For those still living ordinary lives, the book leaves a gentle reminder: there are things to say while you still can, people to cherish while they are still around, and don't keep putting off what truly matters.

LINH BAO

Source: https://nhandan.vn/nhung-bai-hoc-tu-tram-dung-sinh-tu-post970940.html