Causes Worth Supporting: Hospice

Photo courtesy of Tennessee Hospice Organization

This week I think it's time we looked at supporting an organization that has been there for most of our families at one time or another: Hospice. The Hospice organizations around the country do some of the most beautiful work in healthcare. They make everyone as comfortable as possible in their last months, weeks, or days - and give their patients as much dignity and respect as they deserve. I have experienced family losses many times with Hospice's presence and I volunteered with the local Hospice while I was in high school. This is an organization that not only cares for the patient, but the entire family. The nurses are as caring and sweet as you could ever imagine, and grief counseling is offered for each family to help them through their grieving for a over a year after the loss. Hospice Houses offer a wonderful location to stay for patients that cannot or do not wish to live out their days at home, still giving all members of the family the familiar comforts of a home whenever possible. 

Hospice relies on donations (linked to our local Hospice in Cleveland) to continually offer their services to any qualifying patient regardless of their situation or ability to pay. This is a great kindness when you consider the monumental costs of aging, painkillers - medications in general, and most chronic or incurable conditions. Not to mention the numerous services that Hospice workers provide directly to the families of those in their care. 

 In the field of cinema, there have been some wonderful films that teach us about valuing life for its temporality while showing the beauty that is the succinct existence of a human life. One of my very favorite films does just that in a beautifully, utterly magical way - and that film is Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. I won't tell you anything about the story, though I will share this one quote that illustrates a piece of why I love the film so much. Before I share that though - let's try to remember to support those who support us in our times of greatest needs, alright? They more than deserve it.

 

Mentality Monday #9

Good morning! Law of Bambi has returned to action after a week's break. Beginning this new month, I'm looking ahead to what will be happening. I will be continuing posts about love on Wednesdays as I move into the second month of Living the Fruits of the Spirit, towards the middle of the month I will be posting my second interview and along with that starting my second 30 day challenge - and it's going to be awesome! There will be more confessions, more causes to share with you that are worth supporting, and more things to be thankful for. I hope you enjoy it all.

With our Mentality Monday quote this morning, I want to remind everyone to truly think about the things you say and do. It occurs to me how many thoughtless and insensitive things are said through the mask of social media or under the excuse of "a joke." If it is at someone else's expense - it's not funny. It makes you a bully. Think about what you're saying! You might be referring to a famous person or someone you don't know, but you're really referring to anyone who has been through the same situation. It may seem low key and like I'm making a mountain out of a molehill, until you're sitting on the other side of those comments hearing someone talk senselessly about a situation they know nothing about. Don't make assumptions about things you know nothing of. Even if you have been through something similar - it's not yours to judge or minimize. We're all different. What is excruciatingly hard for me to deal with could be simply not an issue for you. Don't presume to understand another's battles. Give them some compassion and love. That's what they need from you - not more criticism. Think of others more often this week, please. I'm sure they'll appreciate it.