Pat Spalding, a lifelong Newburyport resident and All Care Hospice patient, recently took home first place in the Massachusetts Audubon Society’s Poetry Contest for the category of “Most Uplifting.” Pat spent her life finding beauty in the world and expressing in throughout various mediums; whether she was gardening, painting, or crafting poems for family members, Pat cultivated artistic expression anyway she could. Now, at 87 and struggling with dementia, Pat is still able to access that part of herself, even if only for a short time, and share her beautiful world view with those around her and above all, to improve upon and maintain her quality of life!
“Amazing”
By All Care Hospice Patient Pat Spalding, age 87
I saw an eagle along the Merrimack
Cool summer breeze
Looping down, amazing
Brought me to my knees
I stopped
Put my head back toward the sky
He made circles in the clouds
Swooped toward me
It made me want to fly
Photo Caption: All Care Hospice’s Barbara Lenihan (Left) smiles with Catherine Maker and her mother, All Care Hospice Patient and now award-winning poet, Pat Spalding