Thursday, August 15, 2019

Giving and Receiving..updated!


I have been so blessed by the volunteer work I do visiting the patients at Legacy Hospice House.

I've met some wonderful people, both patients and their families and friends. And I admire the professionals that take care of the patients. The nurses and aids are all amazing! Rock Star Amazing!


And I've enjoyed doing a few extra things when I visit, like take handmade cards to give to the patients. I know there are stores that sell all kinds of card making supplies and embellishments but since I make so many cards, I try to use what I have. 


I was so surprised to have my blog buddy Ann from Ann's Snap, Edit, Scrap write to tell me she had cut out some butterflies for me to use on my cards. That's my favorite embellishment. Butterflies are used in decoration throughout the Legacy House so these are perfect. Thank you SO much Ann!

So I got busy and made some new cards. I tried to change up my design just a bit by rounding the corners at the top. 


I'm blessed in giving AND receiving this week!

I decided to come back and talk about what I do in a Hospice house as a patient visitor. I know a lot of you have had experience with hospice in your home and in hospitals. The Legacy House has rooms that don't really look like a hospital room, with nice furniture and personal touches. The patients all have a handmade quilt on their bed and handmade pillowcases (made by volunteers). Everything is beautiful. 
I had extensive training to become a volunteer. So when I enter the room I introduce myself (and if the family wants privacy, they close the door and I do not knock or enter). I don't disturb someone if they are sleeping either.

The first thing I do is ask the patient or visitor if they need anything. I bring water, cups of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, juice or snacks if that's what they want. I help them with the tv stations (there are music stations that many prefer), adjust the blinds, lights, pillows....all of the things that can make a person more comfortable. And then if they want to talk, I stand there and listen. I hold their hand, pray with them...whatever they want to do. I'm in no hurry. I have time. I pull up a chair and sit with people that don't want to talk but just want company. I take young people (visitors) to the family room. I even colored a page in a coloring book with a little girl one time. I've taken one child outside to walk around. I've stood in the hall after someone has passed and had someone cry on my shoulder....more than once. I've sat in the lobby with a lady that was wondering if Hospice was right for her situation. I've read to people, looked through their photo albums, come back when it wasn't my day to visit because someone asked me to...many times. It's really a comfort to have a volunteer at a Hospice house. Not everyone has family close by here in Florida where they've retired. 

I hope this explains a little better what I do when I spend an afternoon once a week at Hospice. And I hope it will encourage others to seek out hospice treatment if it's needed or volunteer if you have time. It makes a difference. It's a blessing to everyone. 

Thanks for all the wonderful comments.

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays .

40 comments:

Tom said...

...WOW. so creative!

Happy@Home said...

Your cards are so pretty and cheerful, Diane. I'm sure your visits add a bright spot to the patients days. How nice of Ann to share these beautiful butterflies. A lovely story of giving and receiving.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

There is nothing quite so pleasing as receiving a handmade card.

magnoliasntea said...

What a lovely way to make a difference at the hospice house. I LOVE the bicycle card.
Have a great day!
Toni

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

It is so nice you are able to volunteer! The handmade cards are all beautiful.
I like the cute butterflies and the bows. You are blessed! Wishing you a happy day!

Susie said...

Diane, I love the cute cads. Who doesn't like butterflies? LOL I have a butterfly punch that I used to cut butterfly shapes from the pretty magazine pages and I would put them in cards and or on things that Emma and I crafted. Sure miss those days. I know those people at the house love you. Blessings to you sweet lady. xoxo,love, Susie

Vee said...

So thoughtful of Ann and it inspired you to whip up these special cards. It is a wonderful thing that you do...

Arlene G said...

Home made cards are the nicest as it takes time and creativity to make them. Yours are lovely Diane.

Sam I Am...... said...

How sweet of you. I must admit that the U of I(Iowa) hospital and hospice floor were exceptional professionals. Although, I'm not sure at that time if I would have wanted strangers popping in even though well meaning. We did have a list of who could visit and who could not but I never saw any "volunteers"....it's a pretty serious time of life but maybe that's just me. But not all hospice patients are dying...some recover and leave but we knew Jim's fate was pretty well sealed. I would not have wanted to extend the effort to "meet and greet" a stranger even as well meaning as your volunteering is. I just wanted privacy and time with my son before he passed. Just my opinion.

Lorrie said...

I'll bet the residents and staff at Legacy are happy to see you coming! Your handmade cards are lovely and are surely appreciated. Have a happy day, Diane.

Anne (cornucopia) said...

Beautiful handmade artwork. It's nice that you do that for the patients.

Laurel Wood said...

Thank you for sharing what your duties are at the hospice house. May God bless you for being with these folks (both patients and families) at such a difficult time. I was caregiver for both my dad and mom. With the help of hospice, I kept mom at home until her last breath. I can't describe how much gratitude and respect I have for the staff and volunteers at hospice. How kind of Ann to share the butterflies so that you could make more cards to share. I will try to make this story short but it has to do with butterflies. When mom her last breath, the staff needed to prepare her so I stepped out into the front garden that mom and I had created and lovingly tended to. A tattered butterfly landed on a flower in front of me and I was able to capture a photo, even though I could not see what I was aiming at due to the sun. That was the most gorgeous photo ever and to me, it signified that mom was in Heaven, as a believer in Christ, and that she was no longer in pain and no longer blind. Butterflies are very special to me, also. You are an inspiration, thanks for sharing.

MadSnapper said...

the cards are wonderful and the two yellow butterflies on the left are my favorite of Anns cutouts. kudos to ann for sending them to you and you for creating those cards. I have not volunteered in Hopsice but did volunteer in a long term nursing home for 8 years. there is nothing like it and I made so many friends and I do believe volunteers help so much.

Sandy said...

Dianne, I know you do it from the heart, but their will be jewels in your crown in Heaven. I teared up reading it. This is just so wonderful. It is just what so many need at just the right moment I am sure.

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

All I can say is--Bless you for doing what you are doing--
and to keep on doing it--
thank you--
luv, di

Debbie said...

Beautiful cards Diane, it’s so nice that you share them with the patients!! Hospice care is so important, even more important are the kind souls that take care of them!!

Ann said...

It was my pleasure to send you the butterflies and your cards turned out wonderful.
I enjoyed reading about all the things you do in a Hospice house. Your visits must be such a comfort and so sweet of you to cheer them up with your lovely cards.

Jeannie said...

I am in awe of what you are able to do. It does not sound like much, but to a person who is hurting and in so much pain, it is everything. You are an angel.
Jeannie@GetMeTotheCountry

happyone said...

A wonderful thing you do!!
Your cards are beautiful.

Little Wandering Wren said...

I'm sure you add brightness, light, and love at a time it is much needed. The personal touch of the cards would be truly appreciated, butterflies are perfect. You are helping to make your community a better place and that is a very special contribution to this world. Thank you.
Wren x

Michelle said...

This really touched my heart. My parents live in Florida and I worry about what will happen if they become very sick or go into hospice. I save my sick days and have used quite a few to be with them during past times of illness, but I can't be there 100% of the time. I appreciate what you are doing. I can only imagine what it means to the people you help. Thank you for what you are doing.

Debbie said...

You use your gifts to bless others, and that is what we are called to do. What an inspiration you are. xo

Terri D said...

Bless you in your ministry. and that is exactly what it is. I know the patients and families you help also feel blessed. Thank you for your volunteer work!

Rose said...

It is wonderful that you volunteer...it was interesting to hear what you do and how you do it. The not going in if doors are closed, etc. I am sure it eases family that can't be there as often as they like. That was so sweet of Ann to send you the butterflies...your cards are pretty.

Michele Morin said...

I so admire your commitment to this project.

EricaSta said...

I'm overwhelmed... I know it's not a easy Doing, to give the own power to a doomed person with love in the heart. I admire your work!

Sending many butterflies to each person you meet, butterflies like here
https://happy-hour-with-picts.blogspot.com you ...can see, if you want.

Especially the Aquarell!

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Just wanted to add my thanks to you, Diane, for taking the time to visit hospice patients. I am sure that your visits and homemade cards are so welcome. Honestly, I am not sure this type of volunteering is something for me, but It is so valuable and cherished.

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

♥ ♥ ♥

Dianna said...

What a lovely way to spend your time, blessing the lives of others. :)

Carla from The River said...

Hello Friend,
Thank you for sharing. I enjoyed this post so much. Hospice was very important to our family, when my grandpa was passing away, then again with my grandma. It is amazing the power of LOVE when we share it.
Thank you my friend!!
Carla

carol l mckenna said...

Beautiful creations and what a treasure you are with your Hospice work ~ Xox to you!

Happy Day to You,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Red Rose Alley said...

I have tears reading this, and how wonderful of you to be there for these people at a time when they need it the most. My favorite part of the story was when you said, "I'm in no hurry, I have time." So many people are too busy to even think these days, and it saddens me. I love that you talk with them, listen, and especially pray with them. Your cards add a little happiness to their rooms and show that someone cares for them, as they are hand made with love. Thank you for telling us a little about what you do there. I was with my mom and dad close to when they passed away, and I always think about those who don't have families, like you mentioned. Some may think of you as their family, Diane, and this is extremely special and wonderful you giving your time at the Hospice House. And they are giving you something that is just as special in return. : )

~Sheri

Kit said...

They are so lucky to have you! What you do is so important. Your cards are lovely too and I bet anyone who receives one considers themself lucky. ☺ Kit

Jenn Jilks said...

This is good work. I did similar work in a long-term care. I needed to stop, though.
I now do respite work in homes. I don't take creative cards like this, though! It's a good idea.

Edna B said...

Your cards are beautiful. I'm sure the patients love them. I think it's wonderful that you can volunteer at the hospice house. I used to do this at our local nursing homes when I was really young. Now that I'm retired, I had hope of volunteering. Sad to say, my body does not cooperate. So I crochet things and give them to folks to need them. It works for me. You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.

Sue said...

OH! what an angel you are dear lady, thank you for sharing this, my daughter is director of nursing at a facility in our town, what you are doing is so needful, May the Lord continue to bless and keep you as you serve him.. the cards are so beautiful, I love butterflies and bicycles too!
Blessings,
Sue

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Diane, this is such a good description of the great work you (and other Hospice volunteers) are doing. Thank you ....and your cards are beautiful....the bike one reminds me of our time in the Netherlands, everybody rides a bike and we saw many tandems and some carrying flowers in their baskets ... it’s a post ready to happen if I can ever get there on my blog!

Lowcarb team member said...

Your cards are so pretty, I think it's wonderful that you volunteer like this.

All the best Jan

Aunt Helen said...

Dear Diane, I loved the cards you made, so pretty! Your recap of duties at Hospice, reminded me of when my John was there. You and Ron came to visit several times; and John held your hand, and wouldn't let it go!! He, so much, appreciated your visits, because he loved you so much! You are truly an angel. My Love, Aunt Helem

EL RINCON DE CHELO said...

Que bonitas tarjetas!!