BEVERLY:  And I've also taken care of cancer patients and people go and die at home among familiar surroundings and family.  I'm for that because many times our elders often die very alone in hospitals with unfamiliar people and unfamiliar surroundings. 

And when death is -- you know, should be very -- we should be at peace, and that's one of the things that I've always believed in.  And that's what I saw among my people is that they've always -- death came when you've done all you -- you're supposed to do, and you've completed your work. 
And many of these elders that were brought in when they die alone, it's -- it's like it didn't have to be that way. 

So I always tried to accommodate our elders and make sure that they have -- and I always tried to convey to the doctors that this is the writing in -- in their charts that they want to be at home, if it's terminal or if it's -- you know. 

And I've had the honor of taking care of several people like that.  And they just were -- and their families were wonderful, you know.  They just cared for -- for their loved one.  And I just was there to oversee and monitor and -- and there was one gentleman that was just apologetic until he died, you know.  Always apologizing. 

And I said, you don't need to apologize, you know.  This is my job and I'm here to help you and make you comfortable.  And this gentleman, he was fairly young, he was only 38.  People shouldn't die of cancer at 38, you know. 

And he just was such a nice, easy going person that just had a lovely personality.  And he wanted to die among his mountains, among his people, his family.  And he was such a delightful person to care for, you know. 

And the neatest thing about it is that he didn't want nothing fancy.  He didn't want no chapel of chimes coffin -- or casket or -- he wanted a homemade casket.  He wanted everything homemade.  He said, this is his favorite blanket and his favorite shirt.  These are, you know, some of the things he wants to wear when he -- when he goes.  And his family was very good. 

And, you know, to assist somebody like that, to make them comfortable, was such a -- it was an honor for me that, you know, we were able to do that. 

And just, you know, those kind of things that are issues of -- of the heart, you know.  And many times when there was tragedy or -- it was with prayer because I pray that we're able to go through tough times, you know. 

And especially in suicide cases, where some of our young people just find it unbearable to live.  And they choose to take their lives, you know.  Those are the -- the hardest ones that I've had to deal with. 

But it's through prayer and my faith in God that we are able to -- that's the saddest part of my job, you know, was seeing someone take their life.  And it's -- you know, and he had just a bad choice for a temporary problem, you know. 

And we need to convey to our youth that, you know, don't -- don't bottle yourself up or if there's something that happens to you or your boyfriend or your wife or your husband, they have left you but that doesn't mean you have to end your life, you know. 

Because these are -- that's a temporary solution -- you know, for a temporary problem, this permanent solution.  That's not it, you know.  Suicide is -- and we need to convey to our youth and to our community members that this is not acceptable. 

This is -- we need to tell them that because it touches the way -- I mean, suicide is -- it touches the whole community.  It can immobilize them and get them in deep despair, and a sense of hopelessness, you know. 

And when there is hope, when there is life, when there is, you know, there will be a better tomorrow.  You know.  And we need to reassure our youth or make sure they have outlets to talk to somebody. 

And many times as a health aide, I did that, you know.  You know, this, too, will pass.  And I -- even though they may be devastated, you know, and you just need to.  And with prayer.  Without prayer, you know, I wouldn't be able to counsel or console some of these people that are in deep depression or -- or many alcohol related. 

Often these were alcohol related.  And that alcohol is not the answer for -- if you're in depression or if you feel that's -- that's no alternative.  And we need to pass on better coping skills, you know, that their lives or each individual's life is worthy.  And they are young, you know, they have a whole life ahead of them.