Death

All of them. I've watched them die. I've watched them take their last breath. I sat there in silence. Checked for a pulse, removed their clothes, washed their bodies, redressed them to be taken away to the funeral home. Held their grieving families as they wail in tears of pain. The loudest screams and cries of denial. "No god, not her, not my momma." I then open the window to let their souls escape to the heavens. I've cared for these people day in and day out for days, months, years even.. but yet not a single tear falls because it's my job. I'm used to it. This is what happens. It's a part of life. Death. It is not something that you should be used to, or even comfortable with. But I am. I've watched over 50 people in a year die. I know the steps, the signs for when death is near. It's always the same, but yet I no longer feel the sadness and heartbreak of death. I send them off with an I love you and a kiss upon their forehead. This is the way it is, all the time. But the truth is. I'm used to death. And I shouldn't be. Death does not scare me. Because it is very rare now that I lose one that breaks me a little. But when they do. When I feel that pain, it's good because it reminds me that I'm still human.