Hospice volunteering is a privilege

Lynn Catley shares what hospice means to her.

Hospice volunteer Annette VanDeKreeke wrote in a letter to the editor: "It’s the same response every time – whenever someone finds out I’m a hospice volunteer, the first thing they say is, 'I could never do that; it would be too depressing.'

I usually smile and answer them with, 'You’d be surprised how much the opposite is true.' People who are involved in hospice know that every life comes with an expiration date – they witness it daily. It’s always sad when a soul passes from this world, and it sounds cliché but for some it is truly a blessing – an end to pain, loneliness, fear and worry.

I view hospice volunteering as an honor and a privilege. These clients and their families are going through possibly the toughest time in their lives and as a volunteer, you can help. Most often, I sit next to the bed and read to the client, or we listen to music together. Other times it’s as simple as gently holding their hand while they drift off to sleep, knowing they’re not alone." Read more...

"Boomers" take on a new cause

As the baby boomers age, they are transforming society's view of death just the way they transformed society's view of birth, sex, and so many other things.... Read more about the trend by clicking here.

November is national hospice and palliative care month

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization is offering some resources to help raise awareness of hospice during National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. Click here to check out their resources.

NPR: Surgeon writes of death, dying in 'Final Exam'

NPR interviewed doctor Pauline Chen about her book, Final Exam: A Surgeon's Reflections on Mortality: "In a series of reflections on the world of modern medicine, a young doctor describes how physicians must deal with the inescapable reality of death, the risks and rewards of emotional involvement, patients' expectations concerning their doctors, and her personal experiences throughout her education, residency, and practice with mortality." Click here to listen to NPR's interview with Dr. Chen.

Measure your life in love

The beautiful "Seasons of Love" from Glee's tribute to Cory Monteith....

The tears of a clown

This is an extraordinary video that cannot be fully described, it must be experienced. In his presentation at The Moth's storytelling series, Anthony Griffiths describes what it was like to earn his living as a comedian as he suffered through the illness and death of his child.

Students offer service as pallbearers at indigent burials

"When the county is paying for a burial and no family is around to carry the casket, Covington Catholic High School students step in as pallbearers." Click here to read more....