Very deserving

To the editor:
    I read with great interest your article on Hospice Nurse Jane Zimmerman. As Jane is my cousin, I have known her all my life. Two years ago during the last hours of my mother’s life, I got to know her in a completely different capacity.
    Although my mother was not one of her patients, she stayed with my sister and me at my mother’s bedside during this difficult, emotional time. She was a great source of comfort and knowledge. Death is not always the calm, peaceful ending you see on television shows. Jane’s understanding of the process and her calm, gentle ways led us through those long hours and helped us through the grieving process afterward.
    I don’t think that Jane even considers what she does as a job. I think she sees it as a calling in her life. To be able to deal with the heartbreak and raw emotion she sees on a daily basis and still maintain balance and joy in her life is a testament of her faith, ability and commitment. She is a truly exceptional person.
    The way she carries herself in her job is not just a tribute to her compassion. Jane is a truly excellent nurse. She uses her knowledge and experience to ease the pain and suffering of those in their last days. This alone is a tremendous comfort to the loved ones left behind. Her commitment to having the dying retain their dignity and her acceptance of death as a natural part of life seem to be her guides.
    It is the natural way of life for children to bury their parents. I was truly blessed with mine and doubly blessed to have them with me into my middle age. This didn’t, however, make it any easier when they did go. Jane being with us that night, and her kindness and ability, will never be forgotten. It is a debt that I will never be able to repay.
    It was wonderful to see her get the recognition she richly deserves in your article. With all of the misery of today’s world in the news along with the people responsible for it, your article displaying what is truly good in this world and the people responsible for that was uplifting and inspiring.
Doug Larlee
Norridgewock