(Blog-Off II Entry) Honor the Most Honorable

I would like to take this day to honor a segment of our population that I consider to be the most noble of all. They are those who put themselves on the line for others, each and every day. They have witnessed end of life like no others, and have helped families come to terms with their losses. I am speaking of  our military service men and women as well as all the paid and unpaid hospice workers across the country and around the world.

Last month, my friend Marina Carter, of Vermont Piano Music volunteered her time at a candle lighting service in Middlebury, VT in support of National Hospice Month. Her exquisite piano music comforted and soothed those in need. Over a several hour period of time, those families who had lost their loved ones filed into a church to light candles in remembrance of those whom they mourn. The service was a somber occasion, yet it was also a time to uplift the individuals who cared for those at the end of life.

Let us not forget the visionaries whose work inspired the hospice movement around the world and transformed end of life care. They were the pioneers of hospice and their work has been documented on the film www.pioneersofhospice.org. To better understand what the modern hospice movement has meant, this film can be purchased and shared with family members who are facing the end of life.

So, on this day, and every day, let  us remember the Veterans who have protected and served us so that we may live, and those who compassionately and tenderly care for the dying.

"All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word - freedom,  justice, honor, duty, mercy and hope." ~ Winston Churchill

Comments

[Marie Matta]

Thank you, Sue, for your thoughtful tribute and for highlighting in your series of posts the valuable service that hospice provides.

[Vesna_palmer@yahoo.com]

Thank you very much for covering this great, powerful and heart touching subject We need more discussion on this topic even though it's a difficult subject. Please continue this worthwhile project.

[Sue Leonard]

Thank you, Darlene. I appreciate your comment and
the fact that you have an appreciation for the
way hospice and veterans serve our country.

[Sue Leonard]

Thank you, Tim. I appreciate your comment. It means alot.

[Tim]

Thank you for this heart warming and inspiring post. Keep up the good work.

[Darlene Sabella]

Wonder post, I will light a candle to them today. When I look at my candle I will remember all of the people that have put themselves in harms way to help other. Thank you for reminding us just how special and important this is.