Amy, Thinking Out Loud

As we celebrate 35 years of “Sharing the Journey” I would like to take this moment to acknowledge that without the volunteers who do so many things for this organization that we would not have made it to 35 years. It’s incredible to think about all the people who gave of themselves over these last 35 years. I was a volunteer back in 1998 for about two years. My very first hospice patient was one of the very first volunteers that started the whole organization 10 years prior to that. I was very humbled to have the privilege to sit with one of the women that started it all and to give back what she started.

Being a volunteer for Hospice is such a rewarding endeavor. It gives you an opportunity to slow down and meet people where they are. To sit and listen, with your ears as well as with your heart. Just picking up the phone and placing a call to someone could make all the difference to that person’s day that again I will use the word humbling.

There are many ways that a person can volunteer. Just give me a call or shoot me an email volunteer@hvosc.org. I would be more than happy to talk to you.

Bereavement Information

• Grief is a response to the loss of someone or something that was important.
• Grief can occur after a death, divorce, illness, or other significant loss.
• Grief can affect your physical and mental health.
• The experience of grief is different for everyone.

Grief often involves intense sadness, feelings of shock and numbness or even denial andanger. For most, the intensity of the emotions surrounding grief ease over time. It’s a journey that affects everyone differently. It can be physically exhausting. Mentally draining. Some find it difficult to do simple things, some jump into many projects and events to keep them busy. If you or someone you know has persistent feelings of depression surrounding their grief. If your feelings are getting in the way of everyday life and you are unable to experience happiness, then you should seek outside help. It’s okay to share the journey of your grief.