Refill with Randy: After busy summer, fall brings chance to reset and refocus

By Randy LeBaron

Randy LeBaron

Good afternoon! Grab your favorite cup. Fill it up. And let’s start this week right… TOGETHER!!!

Hello friends! It has been a while, as was brought up by the many new people I had a chance to meet around Orleans County this summer who asked me when Refill was starting up again. It’s good to be back and I hope that you have all been doing well these past couple of months.

I don’t know about you but both July and August seemed to be very full yet, at the same time, they seemed to fly by. I performed a few weddings, baptized a few new believers, and officiated a few too many funerals. I spoke for a week at a family camp down in Kane, PA but then missed the trip to Kentucky to see my daughter and son-in-law as I stayed home sick with Covid.

I did get to go with my family to Florida again for a week but unlike last year, when we swam with Dolphins on purpose, this time my daughter Maddie and I inadvertently swam over a 6’ shark while snorkeling. Add in church, hospice, and Go Scatter Ministries events and it was a full couple of months.

And now September is here and with it many changes. The leaves will soon begin to pop with color, the kids and teachers have started back to school, football is back in full force (Go Bills!), and for me it means restarting both Refill with Randy as well as the Community Grief Support Group which will meet this coming Tuesday, September 10th, at 4 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Albion. All of which I am glad for.

Unfortunately, as I am sure many of you have heard by now, there was also a big change that happened at Hospice of Orleans as the Martin-Linsen Residence has paused receiving new patients until a broader base of Home Care Patients can be established to help support and sustain running it.

This was certainly sad news for potential patients who will not have this option. Personally, back in 2012 when my own mother was receiving home hospice and had gotten to the point of needing more care the MLR was still under construction so I know what it is like to want to have that need met in your own backyard but have to find it elsewhere.

It was also very sad to find out that the fantastic staff who made staying at the MLR so great had been laid off as a result. I am thankful to have worked alongside these men and women whose caring was not just a job but a calling. Beyond the physical and mental demands it takes to care for patients Hospice is also often draining emotionally as we have to say goodbye again and again to those who we have connected with so quickly.

It truly is sad news but… let me also share some good news. First and foremost the MLR is not closed, rather, the operations have paused. My hope and prayer is that as a community we can work together to build up enough referrals and funds to open it back up and never have to turn off the lights again.

Also, another piece of good news is that hospice care itself is not paused. We have a great team of nurses, aides, and social workers who I am blessed to work with who will provide you the best quality of care right in your home. I know that our board is also hoping to connect with nursing homes and hospitals to be able to offer care in those establishments as well.

I know that I am not the official spokesperson for Hospice. But as someone who has had loved ones receive care through Hospice of Orleans, who is a part of this community, and who has served as the Spiritual Care Counselor for the better part of 3 years, I am invested in helping in any way that I can to see Hospice succeed which includes reopening the doors of the MLR. I know that there are many others, including some of the former staff at the MLR, who have made known that they are committed to the same.

And if you would like to show support for Hospice or simply to honor a loved one I would encourage you to RSVP for our upcoming Memory Walk at www.hospiceoforleans.org. It will take place Sunday, September 29th, at 1:30 p.m. at Holley Falls. We will gather beforehand at the Pond Pavilion for a short service and an activity. And don’t worry, the Bills don’t play until 8:20 p.m. I checked.

See you in 2 weeks!