Our Beautiful World

Sometimes I compose a post in my mind but then when I sit down to write, it doesn't seem quite right....it doesn't seem like enough! We are all learning and adjusting as time goes by and I do think it has brought us all closer together....as citizens of the world.

Most days, I find lots to do and stay very busy.

And on the days I can get outside and hike, I feel wonderful.

I'm grateful for my good health, a beautiful place to live, nice weather and a trail to hike on near my home (and a sweet hiking buddy to go with!). 

And this week, my blog buddy Sheri from Red Rose Alley even sent me a lavender rose. I put it in my sidebar Sheri! Thank you SO much for thinking of me!

I received this in my inbox from Hospice this week. I am a patient visitor for Legacy House and we are not able to do our visits at this time. One of the many things 'on hold' now.

How are you doing this week? Want to share something you are thankful for in the comments?

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!

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 .

Thrift Store Sharing

I am still decluttering and trying to donate more than I buy but I needed a diversion this week! So I went to the old thrift store, Divine Providence. Some people call it the nickle store because all of the clothing there costs a nickle! ALL of the prices are super low so you have to be careful not to bring too much home when you visit! lol

I was happy to find some things to share with others though! The Legacy Hospice house has a beautiful family room filled with toys, books, videos and comfortable chairs to relax in. I found the cutest little house filled with art supplies to take. It has little drawers with crayons and colored pencils. (I took out the markers for obvious reasons and will buy a new pack of crayons to fill that drawer) It was 25 cents!!! Can you believe that!!!

I also found some stuffed animals to take to a lady in another facility that I visit. She'll love the soft pink bunny.

I think I'll keep the coloring book. (cost a dime) I am still learning about colors and could use some of these tips. I'm doing some art every day and would love to encourage you to do that too. There are so many great benefits to being artistic and creative.

Oh, but if you still need things to entertain you this summer....

 you can always watch the water drip from your faucet!

hahahaha  Do you see that BIG BUBBLE?

(we filter our water, I was filling a water pitcher)

And yes I see that my Kitchen Lemon is half full! 

What's new at your house? 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays .