25 Years

I have kept my nest close to these folk at the Rainey Hospice House for many seasons, but my dove history traces back 25 years through the generations of birds that precede me.  The story of the past 25 years, as told through my ‘fore-feathers’ is amazing:

 
As mourning doves we spend a lot of time on the ground, scratching for seeds and crumbs.  So it was natural that the doves often gathered near the hospital grounds.  They told of noticing a lot of excitement, but five determined women in particular, and many were joining in.  25 years ago, word was going around about a new way to care for people with a terminal illness and provide support for their families.
 
They had a vision.  They sought a different kind of hope – to maintain dignity, enable folk to live to the fullest, be free from pain, and spend valuable time with loved ones, wherever they might call home.

We doves were drawn to these kind and dedicated people and their efforts to begin Hospice.  It was called Hospice of Anderson at the start.  We were especially pleased that the symbol of a dove was incorporated into their logo.  And that dove has stayed as their logo has evolved.

As time went on, I also heard stories passed down from other birds of our family.   There was a flurry of activity now in a house on Summit Avenue near the hospital.  These hospice workers were getting organized, enlisting even more volunteers, reaching out to more and more patients and families, bringing their distinct kind of comfort and support.  This handful of folks had engaged the community and their vision was catching on.  A new day was dawning.

One of the birds of our family passed on the story of being so intrigued by the dedication of these folk, that he followed them to a nearby house and witnessed the team of nurses, doctor, social worker, aide and chaplain made a visit to one of these families.  He watched as each addressed the particular needs of the individual and loved ones – adjusting medications, helping to bathe, lining up Meals on Wheels, Lifeline, calling in volunteers to sit with the patient so the wife could go to the store, and even having prayer with them.  It was moving to think of how their lives had been enriched, how a different kind of healing and wholeness had been brought to their spirits.

Now it was my turn to witness first hand these committed folk of Hospice of the Upstate.  They came to my neck of the woods.  They built a new facility here on the old Waycaster farm.  I watched as construction was completed on first one wing and then a second wing of an impatient facility and their offices here.  It was a wonder to behold.  Every effort was made to create a homelike, welcoming atmosphere. 

Part of the vision of Hospice of the Upstate was ongoing outreach and education for the community that had given rise to this gifted organization.  They sought to continue to spread the word of all that could be offered at the end of life.  Construction began once again and a beautiful structure, the Sadler Building, was completed.   Included was a beautiful space for meetings and gatherings as more programs were designed for the community.  As you can imagine, my favorite was the Butterfly and Dove release program.  Oh, the thrill of seeing those white doves released at the end of the program, to have them circle overhead several times, and then wing their way home.  The symbolism was palpable – snow white doves, released out into the world to carry on this wonderful message of a new kind of hope brought by Hospice of the Upstate.

I will pass the message of Hospice of the Upstate – a different kind of hope at the end of life – to the generations that follow me, and I marvel at the idea of what the next 25 years might bring.

Celebrating Americans

It was the 4^th of July.  This is the day we celebrate being Americans.  But it seems to me that some people are more ‘American’ than others, and these people are called Veterans.  They deserve our thanks and our recognition. 

 A Chaplain with Hospice of the Upstate also serves in our Army National Guard, and he spent his 4^th of July visiting Hospice of the Upstate patients who are Veterans.  Wearing his dress blue uniform, he pinned an American Flag on these Veterans, and with inspiring words, he thanked them for their service.  Naturally, I flew along to watch and learn.

·         I saw men who served in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and Desert Storm

·         I heard boisterous stories from those who wanted to share their tales and their emotions

·         I felt the depth of those overcome with emotions that couldn’t speak a word

 Mostly, I learned that the face of patriotism takes many shapes, but it is always beautiful.  And that beauty extends to the families of soldiers who also made sacrifices, whether their loved one served in war or peace time.

 All day long, as I flew through the red, white, and blue of the 4^th of July, I kept hearing words like service, honor, and pride.  Our Veterans seem to have those things in abundance.  I think we can all learn a lot from our Veterans about service, honor, and pride.  I know I have.

Home Again!

I am a bird, as you know, who makes my nest at Hospice of the Upstate, and I watch the most amazing people at work! Recently, I noticed a good bit of commotion and talk of someone who wanted to go home. I’ve heard those words before. They are not uncommon. There seemed to be a bit more concern than normal, so I flew closer to watch and listen.

I heard them say, “Time is short.” Time is short? I thought time was the same, all the time. What did that mean? A nurse hurried to her car and I flew behind – following her to a local hospital in the area.

A patient was very near death in a hospital bed. The family told our nurse, “Dad wants to go home one last time.” The nurse answered, “Yes. We can help you.” A flurry of activity began to take place, and the focus seemed to be two-fold. One, to make sure this man was comfortable and two, to take him home right away because ‘time was short.’

Soon, I was perched on the window sill of this man’s home. A lovely place! I watched as our team of nurses worked to settle this man into his favorite familiar setting. The nurses worked quickly to make sure he was comfortable. Suddenly, it was as if he awoke! He looked about him and took in his surroundings. A peacefulness settled over him and the peaceful feeling seemed to flow throughout the home, touching the family and easing their burden.

And soon, he was gone. He had come home and now, he was gone. I understood. Time is short. Time is short for us all. Spend your time on the meaningful things.

The Amazing Things I See

I am a bird.  I’m an ordinary bird, but I make my nest in the most extraordinary place!  My home, you see, is in the beautiful Meditation Gardens of a place called Hospice of the Upstate. 

This place is extraordinary for many reasons.  First of all, it’s truly beautiful!  The serene setting is surrounded by blooming gardens all around.  Also, I see and hear the most incredible people serving patients and families both here and in their own homes.  And mostly, I watch these people do the most amazing work.



Butterfly & Dove Release at Hospice of the Upstate



I know I’m just an ordinary bird who lives among extraordinary happenings.  But I witnessed something that has inspired me.  Recently, a very large crowd gathered near my nest – a crowd of hundreds!  I was a little frightened, and considered flying elsewhere for a while.  But then I saw a man who brought birds in boxes, and my curiosity would not allow me to leave.

The birds in the boxes were not plain, like me.  They were lily white, like flying angels!  After some commotion, the huge crowd released butterflies into my garden, and then, suddenly, the birds in the boxes were set free to the delight and inspiration of the on looking crowd!  These beautiful white doves brought such meaning to the throngs of people!  I thought, “Oh, if only I could inspire people like these miraculous birds.  But I am a simple bird, and I do not possess their beauty, their training, their discipline.”

I pondered on these things for some time.  What is my purpose?  And suddenly I realized that I am inspired every day by what I witness at Hospice of the Upstate, and perhaps my purpose is to tell the story of all I see around me!

I’m just a bird.  But I can tell the story of Hospice of the Upstate, the incredible people who work here, and the families they serve.  I hope you’ll be inspired!