Good departure
Coming to terms with the diagnosis of a serious sickness and the gradual ending for the perspective of life is a difficult situation. It is very psychologically demanding not only of the patients, but also for those who are closest to them. However, this trying and often painful period can be for the good of all who participate in it. Part of a “good” departure from life includes also the reconciliation of interpersonal relations. We might even say that the development goal of a person in the period of dying is to resolve their relations with others. When fulfilling this goal the dying person is internally preparing for the end and is teaching those around them how to die “well”. Not only the dying person, but also their close ones, can then more easily accept the impending loss. The substance of this finalization of interpersonal relations can be summarized into the art of saying the following five (at first sight short, but in substance very important) sentences:
- I forgive you
- Forgive me
- Thank you
- I love you
- Goodbye
A person is able to say these sentences only when they have accepted the situation and have the strength to face reality. It is an act of farewell that is good to go through, because it gives dignity and humanity to the final phase of the dying person’s life and positively changes the experience of this demanding period for those who accompanied him.
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