10/30/2018 0 Comments Day 3: Joseph's House and Death CafeThe metro ride towards the National Mall was cut a few stops short due to an unexpected surprise. Our group leaders informed us of a change in the day’s plans. Instead of visiting some of the nation’s memorials, we were going to spend a few hours with one of our community members, Joseph’s House. Joseph’s House is more than just hospice care, it’s a home at the very edge of life and death for HIV patients and other members of the community who are transitioning into the last phase of their lives. Both the residents and staff at the house act by a simple motto: “small acts, same love.” This phrase is the embodiment of the house’s mission because the things they do for each other help them all grow and heal together. We had the chance to sit down and talk to the residents over lunch. The stories of David, Earl, and Mr. Ramsey were windows into the reality of end-of-life care, and it was amazing not only realizing certain injustices of the healthcare system but also learning to appreciate the peacefulness and beauty of life and death. A Joseph's House resident, David, rests on the couch before lunch. Our next stop was Potter’s House, a cafe-style bookshop founded in the 1960s as a place to celebrate the neighboring community and activism. There, we were able talk, relax, and work before attending a group discussion about death. Death cafes were designed by a British sociologist to replicate the memorial rituals of the dead and dying in other cultures. By allowing for a free form discussion generated from the personal stories of each participant about experiences with death, we as participants were able to tackle the seemingly complicated issue in a straightforward way. A conversation acknowledging our own morality left many of us with opened minds, new perspectives, and appreciation for life. By finally stepping back from the day’s experiences during our debrief, reflect upon our own mortality. Artwork in Potter's House.
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