People have good intentions when wanting to say something to a person who is grieving the loss of a loved one. They want to be supportive by offering words of comfort and encouragement but often don’t really know what to say. Unfortunately the words they choose are not always appropriate and can leave the person who is grieving feeling upset or angry and even more alone in their grief.
To help you understand and know what to say or do, Sunshine Coast Hospice is hosting an evening where there will be a panel of Deborah Flitton, Heather Conn, Hugh Macaulay and Rob Todrick, who have all lost a loved one. They will share their stories of loss and their grief journey and also talk about the things people have said to them.
The audience will be given the opportunity to discuss, share their own experiences and ask questions.
The event takes place Thursday, Nov. 14 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Sechelt Art Centre, 5714 Medusa St., Sechelt.
Hospice will be hosting other events in November and December as well:
Lights of Life: For most people the holiday season is a time of friends and family, music and cheer. For others it is a difficult time as they think about the special people in their lives whom they have lost. Hospice invites everyone to write a card to their loved one and hang it on a tree. Volunteers will be on hand to offer help or provide a listening ear. Lights of Life takes place at Sunnycrest Mall, Gibsons, Nov. 18 to 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Trail Bay Centre, Sechelt, Dec. 2 to 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lighting the Memories: The cards on the tree are later collected and after a short ceremony and blessing, they are placed on a bonfire where the memories ascend up into the sky. Lighting of the Memories takes place on Jan. 1, 2020 at Mission Point beach, Davis Bay.
Winter Tea: It sometimes helps to be with people who understand your sadness during the holiday season and Hospice would like to honour this by offering a Winter Tea on Dec. 20 at Hospice House, 4602 Simpkins Rd., Davis Bay. After a brief time of remembering your loved one and honouring your grief journey, there will be an opportunity to mingle with others over tea or coffee.
These events are gifts to you from Hospice but donations will be gratefully accepted. Please contact the Hospice office at 604-740-0475 for further information about any of the events.
– Submitted by Esmé Stokhuyzen on behalf of Hospice
