15 Things You Find in Your Dad's Hospice Room

Please note that some of this is fictionalized (for instance, my dad is not on hospice at this time). This is also meant as somewhat of a companion piece to my published piece "15 Things You Find When You Clean Out Your Dad’s Apartment".

A large glass vase of his childhood marbles that catches the light just so
Ceramics of the Statue of Liberty and your favorite animal that you made and gave to him, gathering dust
A puzzle with only the edges complete
Empty crossword puzzles, stacked neatly by a hand that wasn't his
The Lego version of Apollo 11 that you two put together, now askew
A festive calendar of activities that he either won't do or won't remember
Two closets filled with clean clothes that no longer fit
The problematic Voodoo doll he got when he used to travel, fading in the sunlight
A turned down picture frame of someone he's either forgotten or would like to forget
Elephant items that you wonder if it'd be weird or bad luck to give to your stepdad
The propped up loving, but carefully worded, card from your mom, his ex-wife
A pillow without a case
Wound care salves and balms located conveniently close to the bed
A blanket with an upsetting dark stain you'd rather not think about
The carefully placed DNR form that is prominent for some, yet hidden for him

(Prompt by me)

"Crossword Anyone?" by Chip Griffin. Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0).

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