When good angels were assigned to earthly duty, the East Rand Hospice received an inordinately high number of the finest examples.
My sister, Lyris van Es, saw out the last two weeks of her life there, finally succumbing to the ravages of cancer late last night (Saturday, April 12).
It would be impossible to extol too highly the virtues of the wonderful people there – the compassion, love and caring she received from those earthly angels, without exception, was beyond imagining. Neither the day nor night staff could be faulted and that humanity was apparent from the humble cleaning staff to the nursing sisters in charge.
As a family, we decided we did not want Lyris to die without the presence of a loved one and the consequence was that one of us was there at least 90 per cent of the time.
Not once were we made to feel unwelcome and the frequent smiles and hugs that were bestowed on us, and reciprocated, were so welcome.
There is no one person who stands out, they were all marvellous, but I’d like to make mention of Tracey, a sister who visits terminally ill people at their homes.
She was our introduction to this incredible organisation and that warmth permeated through to them all.
Whilst writing, my sister’s daughter has received a call from Sister Ivy, there, who, on being told how beautiful they all are, said that they consider it a privilege to serve in the way they do.
I so wish I had the Midas touch and I was rolling in filthy lucre, a major beneficiary then would be the East Rand Hospice.
I’m not, alas, but if any readers feel inspired to help them in any way at all, their benevolence would be so appreciated.
I’m a KwaZulu-Natalian, here briefly, and I now know that Benoni has more to offer than simply where someone first drank a Campari, and a place that Charlize Theron once called home.
It’s a rather lovely town that will forever be dear to me because of the Hospice situated there.
