This doesn’t exactly fit our bucket-list-story mold, but we couldn’t help but share it. As we’ve said before, most of our bucket-list wishes come to us in response to the question, “What’s most important to you today?” We didn’t ask that question of these teenagers, but still they told us how important it was to them to help other kids through a loss. After all, who better than a teenager who’s been through it herself?
Have you ever tried to buy a sympathy card for a child or teenager who’s lost a loved one? It’s very hard to find something that fits.
Handmade sympathy card made by teen who has lost a loved one.
Our bereavement coordinator, Nora Brashear, LCSW, recently went in search of such cards. When she came back empty-handed, she decided to go to the experts.
Luckily, we have access to some brilliant teens who’ve been through it and know first-hand what works. Nora asked two of them what they found most helpful, and they agreed that the homemade cards they received from other kids were the ones that most lightened the load.
Two of these teenagers talked with Nora about making cards for our hospice to use with children. One is a 13-year-old who lost a parent suddenly a few years ago. Another is a 17-year-old who recently lost a sibling. Both of them have received grief counseling through our Bereavement Outreach program, and both were delighted to put their arts-and-crafts skills to work for other kids who are grieving.
Handmade sympathy card made by teen who wants to help another through loss.
Nora used grant funds to purchase the card-making supplies, gave them to the two teens, and they went to work. These photos are of the first set of cards they’ve completed. We thought they did an outstanding job!
Nora and the rest of our bereavement staff will use the cards with the children of our hospice patients, and also with children in the community who come to us for grief and loss support.
We’re so happy to have these cards on-hand, but we’re even happier that two special teens used their own losses to help make another child’s loss a bit easier.
Handmade sympathy card made by teen who has lost loved ones.
Hospice Care Plus provides exceptional, compassionate care for individuals with serious and advanced illness; while honoring dignity, ensuring comfort, and celebrating life.
Our Service Area:
Our hospice home program serves you, wherever you call home, in the Kentucky counties of Estill, Jackson, Lee, Madison, Owsley, and Rockcastle.
Our inpatient care facility, the Compassionate Care Center, and administrative offices are located in Richmond, Kentucky.
Recent News:
A New Name, The Same Compassionate Mission
News & Events
Celebrating Teresa Turner’s Retirement
On January 31, Teresa Turner, APRN, will retire from Hospice Care Plus after more than 24 years of service. An open-house retirement party will be held Friday, January 31, between 12 PM and 2 PM at Hospice Care Plus & Compassionate Care Center on 350 Isaacs Lane in Richmond. All are invited to drop by…
Journaling Through Grief: A New Grief Support Series
Hospice Care Plus is offering a new grief support series called Journaling Through Grief, starting Jan. 14 and ending June 24. The group will meet every second and fourth Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Madison County Public Library in Berea. Enrollment is limited to 12 and is open to anyone in the community. Register…
Grief and Loss During Holidays and Milestones
Holidays can be a uniquely difficult time for those grieving the loss of a loved one.
You may find that grief will surface over and over, or that milestone events or holidays pull you back into your grief, or you may be surprised that grief is missing on these special days. Our grief comes in many forms and doesn’t follow a calendar.
Compassionate Care Center Updates Completed
In early 2023, Hospice Care Plus received an unexpected $10,000 gift from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous. This generous gift is fondly referred to by staff as the “Couches, Coffee, or Cough Drops” donation because the donor’s only request was that the funds be used to meet the most pressing needs of the…