Toward the end of said story, it was mentioned briefly that hospice offers up to 13 months of support after a loved one’s death. It was interesting to me that no mention of the volunteers’ part in that 13 months was even given credit. That is a sad thing to omit as the volunteers spend numerous hours and significant amounts of their own money to care for these bereaved individuals that are so needy. I personally took the hospice training with Julie Maddon in March of 2005, after my husband and I lost our youngest son to cancer in November of 2004. It was hard, but rewarding, and it saved my life. Although I recently submitted resignation as a bereavement volunteer, I treasure all I learned as a volunteer and will carry those things with me into my continuing ministry.

The loss of a loved one is devastating, and the road to healing is long and bumpy, but we can attain a grasp again on our journey by holding on to that mutual love, recalling beautiful memories and than sharing with others our progress and transformations.

Betsey Jansen

Hesperus