The flickering flame of a candle has transcended its role as a mere light source; it has become a symbol of hope, comfort, and reflection, especially in the realm of hospice care. They hold a special power, illuminating not only physical spaces but also the emotional and spiritual aspects of the hospice journey.
It is a profound and humbling privilege to serve those who are facing the final chapters of their lives, offering solace and support during a time of immense vulnerability. Our Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care staff is comprised of individuals who have dedicated their lives to this noble calling, and they carry with them a wealth of poignant and meaningful experiences.
Providing care for a loved one can take a significant toll on a family caregiver, both physically and mentally. Despite their best efforts, caregivers often experience feelings of guilt and inadequacy, believing that they could and should be doing more. This burden of caregiver guilt only adds to the already challenging nature of caregiving, making it even more difficult to manage.
Some of the greatest love stories are those that defy the odds. Robert Shuman and Chelsie Jackson were both born August 20, 1933 – 13 hours and 70 miles apart. In a nudge toward fate, the universe put them into the world on the same day. The chances of them being born on the same day and meeting and falling in love are next to impossible. But Robert and Chelsie spent their lives making the impossible possible.
As parents and other close relatives grow older, the thing they need most from the people who love them is time. Cards, phone calls, and gifts are all nice, but nothing has a bigger impact than quality time spent together.
Growing up in the Native American culture and having a diverse genetic background, it seemed as if my family had an adage, proverb, or idiom for almost everything we faced in life. One of my dad’s favorites was: “One finger cannot lift a pebble.”
