The Hospice nurses and social worker talk about quality of life. The oncologist always told my mom choices now were about quality of life. Quantity is no longer an option - but quality is. But what do they mean? I did some "googling" and found some definitions. Quality of life is personal satisfaction with the cultural or intellectual conditions under which you live ( as distinct from material comfort.) QoL describes physical, psychological and social well-being. It is about comfort and emjoyment. Did you know there is a Quality of Life Research Center at Claremont University?
QoL is different for each person. For my mom it involves wine, dark chocolate, salmon, cheese, and Chocolate Cheerios. It also includes sitting on the balcony watching the boats on the river, checking out what's on public TV and if there's nothing good then popping in a movie and solitaire on the computer. A phone call from one of her children or grandchildren or a chance to Skype and see her great-grandson also add to the quality of her days. It means not having to worry about meals or bills or laundry or errands. It is about enjoying the simple pleasures of each day.
However, this discussion of quality of life need not be limited to those in an end-of-life situation. I found myself wondering how I defined quality of life. I went to my source book, the Bible, for some guidance. God is the giver and sustainer of life. Jesus says he has come to give life that is abundant (John 10:10). In John 17:3, Jesus defines life - it is knowing the only true God and Jesus. The Bible teaches me quality of life is about my relationship with God, growth and transformation in my soul, and living the fruit of the Spirit. In Exodus 30, Moses tells the Israelites the choice is theirs - life and blessing or death and destruction. How do the decisions I make and the actions I take reflect a choice for life, abundant life that is based in my relationship with God?
Thank you for sharing your heart on paper. It's almost as good as having time with you over a simple meal or cup of something warm. The one thing I know is that you are offering life to your mother, and, in ways you probably can't quite grasp, you are also offering life to your own heart.
ReplyDeleteChris Tomlin has a song called Uncreated One and the refrain reminds me of your season of life right now:
O Great God, be glorified
Our lives laid down
Yours magnified
O Great God, be lifted high
There is NONE like You.
In this laying aside of your own hopes and dreams, you are creating something glorious for the God we aim to glorify. I'm thinking of you, Linda!