Refill with Randy – Supporting one another during the holidays, which is a stressful time for many
By Randy LeBaron
Good morning! Grab your favorite cup. Fill it up. And let’s start this week right… TOGETHER!!!
By the time you read this you will probably be finishing off the last of your Thanksgiving leftovers but I did not want to jump ahead to December and everything Christmas before highlighting the fact that November was National Hospice & Palliative Care Month.
As the Spiritual Care Counselor at Hospice of Orleans I have had the privilege of coming beside many families during the most difficult of times and I really do consider it a privilege to be welcomed into their homes and into their lives. I am also grateful to work alongside others who have answered the call to offer expert, compassionate care to those in need. I have always had a healthy respect for the work of nurses, social workers, and home health aides but getting the chance to work so closely with them has given me a newfound appreciation not only for their skills but for how passionately they attend to and advocate for their patients. I just want to say thank you to all who have filled these vital roles past and present.
I also wanted to highlight Girl Scout Troops 82096 and 82094, led by Mindy Cogovan and Jennifer Hughes respectively, who spent time making Thanksgiving and Christmas Cards to give to our patients and their families as well as those who attend the Grief Support Group. This is a great way for the girls to learn more about Hospice and, having had the privilege of passing out cards to our patients in the past, I know how meaningful their messages will be to all who receive them.
The reality is that the holidays can be a very difficult time for those who are dealing with a terminal illness or who have experienced the loss of a loved one. For me personally, I will never forget the phone call I received from my niece on Thanksgiving Day 2015 letting me know that my oldest brother Rick had died of a heart attack. I can attest to the fact that sometimes just acknowledging someone else’s pain at a time when others are celebrating is a great show of compassion. In this case, offering something as simple as a handmade card can be especially comforting so thank you to all the girls who took part.
I also want to remind you that if you or someone you know is struggling with the holidays I lead a Grief Support Group that is open to anyone in Orleans County. Our last meeting of the year will be on Tuesday (12/8) @4 p.m. at The First Baptist Church in Albion (30 W. Park St.). We will then resume meeting in the New Year every 2nd Tuesday in Albion and every 4th Tuesday in Medina. As I have said it before, everyone deals with grief at some point but no one should have to do it alone.
See you in 2 weeks!
Pastor Randy
