UPCOMING  

EVENTS & NEWS 

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Good Day to All! 

I hope this day finds you all well, or as well as can be. I hear from so many of you, and you share with me many medical issues someone may have, be it yourself, a friend or a relative. 

I have always known there is a lot of pain and suffering in this world and by hearing from you all, it really hits home. I recently emailed back and forth with a young lady reader (young to me anyway) whose Mom was doing very poorly and unfortunately passed away. This reader is married and mother to two fine boys who I had the pleasure of meeting at the Dine-ah. She is still struggling with the passing of her Mom. She does better each day but still has many unanswered questions as to why the Lord took her Mom when she was only in her early 60s. I don't have the answers, but I do take the time to listen/read and always respond.

I also know of several other situations. I don't want to elaborate on the medical conditions, but I will tell you the afflicted people are both old and young alike, as illness does not discriminate. My heart goes out to each and every one of the people that are ill and to the caregivers and their families for providing the love and care so desperately needed.

Sickness and or death is something every one of us is going to face at some point in our lives. Either a friend, a close family member or our own selves will have to deal with these issues. Some people handle it with grace, and by that I mean they accept the hand they are dealt and go from there. There is no blame and no "Why me?" or "What are we going to do now?" questions. Families handle it like they would any large problem. I know family circumstances have a lot to do with how different families cope with sickness and death.

Close-knit families, as well as those who are fortunate and disciplined enough to have planned financially for such a life-altering event, seem to do better than those families who have not been able to save and plan. The burden of funeral expenses can weigh heavily on many families at a time when their emotions are all over the board and should be focused on themselves and their loved one.

I have been surrounded by death since my Mom died in 1986. I became a Hospice volunteer, heading up their equipment loan program in the Kennebec Valley region. As I did, my staff delivers and sets up hospital beds and equipment in peoples' homes so they can spend their last days in familiar surroundings with loved ones. Nothing is more touching than seeing families pull together to grant a dying grandparent, parent, sibling or child that wish. I would consider it one of the best "gifts" you can give someone.  

Without the knowledge of this equipment loan program, my siblings and I would not have been able to care for my parents in their final days in their place of choice, their home. A hospital bed is a critical piece of the puzzle when you are trying to get a critically ill patient out of the hospital and bring them home. 

I know this week's topic of my letter to you has been a little sad, but I want everyone to see the brighter side. I tell people that this can be a cruel world and certainly none of us are getting out alive, so let's pull together, treat each other with respect, help others when we can and try to bring a little sunshine into the life of someone who may otherwise be down.  

My heart goes out to all of you readers who have shared with me the hand that life has dealt you. I'm here for you all, not just as a restaurant business owner but as a true friend who cares. I feel the best gift that I and my siblings were able to give to my parents was the care we provided to them at their home during their final days. These were truly some of the most beautiful moments in my life.  

I shout for joy for all of you who have recovered from illness and say God Bless to those of you still struggling. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Give someone a hug today and tell them how much you care for them. You will bring a little sunshine into their life. Don't wait until tomorrow; life is both precious and short in the big picture.  

Take care,