鈥淕rief is a journey that is not chosen, but must be faced.鈥�
That鈥檚 what coordinator Linda Sheridan told Sharon Wood in a group session of the 91原创 Hospice Society鈥檚 adult bereavement program.
Wood joined 91原创 hospice when mental health services directed her there, following years of loss in her life.
鈥淚n my ignorance, I thought hospice was only a place where terminally ill patents went to die鈥� That鈥檚 just not true. The residence is a place that cares for and offers programs to families, as well as providing care for residents,鈥� Wood shared in her speech at the 5th annual Plates and Glasses hospice fundraiser.
Her story of grief began on April 22, 2000, when her husband, Bill, suddenly fell and passed away in her arms when she caught him. Twelve years later, Wood lost her mother. Then in 2018, within a few months, Wood unexpectedly lost her sister, sister-in-law, and her second partner (of six years), Gerry.
鈥淚 was once again totally devastated, and my support systems were gone,鈥� she said.
Through the adult bereavement program, Wood learned to process her grief with people who understood what she was experiencing.
鈥淭hey didn鈥檛 try to fix anything in my life or tell me how to do this. They [only] provided a place where I felt supported and listened to, and [helped] me realize what I needed to do for me,鈥� Wood shared in an interview with the 91原创 Advance Times.
In the 10-week program, group members could be vulnerable with each other, Wood said. They shared memories, pictures, and many stories.
鈥淓verybody鈥檚 grief is unique and that means everybody鈥檚 timeline is different. But it also means that if you provide a supportive place where you don鈥檛 feel you have all the answers, you can help people by listening and just being there for them,鈥� Wood said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the secret of hospice.鈥�
Wood, now 79 living in Murrayville, volunteers at 91原创 hospice. It鈥檚 her way of giving back to the community that helped her, plus she鈥檚 passing on some of what she learned through her experience.
鈥淚 find it extremely rewarding. I like people and I enjoy working with people. Because of the philosophy of it, you don鈥檛 have to feel like you are an expert in it 鈥� I鈥檓 certainly not 鈥� but all I have to do is be there and listen,鈥� she said.
The fundraiser saw a sold-out crowd of more than 200 people 鈥� beating last year鈥檚 attendance 鈥� help raise a record $100,000.
The event was hosted by Dennis and Alena Quiring, as well as their daughters, Evie and Tory, of Quiring Trucking and Gravel Sales Ltd at their rural property in Aldergrove on Saturday, July 8. Food was donated by Well Seasoned, 1 Fish 2 Fish Fresh Seafood Market, Bonetti Meats, and Driediger Farms market.
鈥淲e rely heavily on community funding to be able to deliver and develop the programs and services we offer,鈥� said Shannon Todd Booth, executive director of 91原创 Hospice Society.
After the pandemic, Todd Booth said there was an increase on waitlists and additional staff help to reduce waiting times for people in need. So, the funds from this year鈥檚 event will go towards supporting the bereavement programs and services 91原创 hospice offers.
鈥淚鈥檓 grateful for the space, the people, the way it comes together. 91原创鈥檚 lucky, and we are lucky to do the work we do,鈥� Todd Booth said.
In a message to community members suffering the loss of a loved one, Wood asked that they reach out for help.
鈥淒on鈥檛 try and do it alone. There is help available, reach out for it. As hard as it is, help is your lifeline.鈥�
To celebrate 40 years of community service, next up the society is hosting a community open house on Sept. 16.
For more details on 91原创 hospice and its drop-in sessions, people can visit .
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