In light of April being National Volunteer month, Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice asked its volunteers to share some thoughts on our experiences.
When people hear I volunteer for Hospice and The Garden, (a bereavement support group for children and teens) I usually get one of two responses … “Oh, that’s wonderful!” or just a flat, “Oh” often accompanied by a step backward. Many can’t imagine willingly entering this realm and assume it must be depressing. In fact, I find the opposite to be true!
While spending time with folks on hospice I’ve shared many a laugh, heard some great life stories and learned interesting historical facts about the area. Services almost always improve quality of life for patients and caregivers alike and I’ve only been met with a grateful and gracious community.
Sometimes visits simply require a calm presence. Of course it’s sad to say goodbye and yet that same reality reminds me to take stock and live with intention. In my book, that’s a gift!
I especially enjoy the high school groups we work with at The Garden. My mother died when I was 16, so helping kids navigate their grief is like coming full circle. Over the course of eight weekly sessions, I’ve witnessed many teens who start the program shy and closemouthed, acquire tools that allow them to express their feelings, share their stories and dare to be vulnerable.
The connections made through the mutual presence of grief are truly heart-opening and enrich everyone involved.
I can only scratch the surface here and believe the experience in all it’s expansiveness must be lived to be appreciated.
Understandably not everyone is cut out for this variety of volunteerism, but if you enjoy making deep connections and have any inclination toward this work, I encourage you to step forward. As cliche as it is to say “what you give comes back tenfold,” I find it to be absolutely true!
Sharron Vaillette
Leeds