I have to share this, with thanks ...

[auntAgonist]

to flamingyouth for posting it to the bereavement forum.

flamingyouth wrote:

I just saw the most amazing & moving photo exhibit


www.soulumination.org

They photograph terminally ill children and document their all-too-short lives.

--snipped--

I can't imagine losing a child, but the strength of these kids and their families fills me with such awe and respect.

www.soulumination.org

[Shine]

1. Blessed be the children.

Thanks for sharing that link, AA. Those pix were amazing and brought tears to my eyes.

I'm a Hospice volunteer, but most of the people I sit with are much much older. My youngest client was only 41, same age as me...

As a parent, I can't imagine the devastation of losing a child. But, in my heart of hearts, I know it's in the darkest times of our lives we're called to remember the Light of who we are.

Shine

[auntAgonist]

2. I just sat there

and marvelled at the love and compassion, and I cried.

Hospice is one place I would volunteer! My background is in funeral service. (after I quit driving semi trucks that is.)

:hug:

[Shine]

3. That's cool that you drive semi trucks!

:thumbsup:

In our community, the local Hospice does trainings twice a year, in the Spring and Fall for any potential Volunteer Visitors. They are actually planning to start up a new training program which is not so intensive and long for those who are interested in providing simple practical support, not so much the emotional stuff. It would be perfect for those looking to give maybe 1-2 hrs per week doing things like laundry, shopping, meal prep, stuff like that.

If you're serious about your attraction to Hospice, I encourage you to check out ways you can be of service with your local chapter. For me, personally, it has been a great blessing in my life to serve in this way. I guarantee you will receive as much as you give.

Plus, as you know, Hospice is an incredibly high-caliber organization doing really important work.

Best to you, my friend.
:pals:

[auntAgonist]

7. I don't anymore

but did for a LOT of years :)

thanks for the information, I am going to check things out here in MI, I'm new to the USA, relatively new that is so I'll have to do a bit of research.

:hug:

[flamingyouth]

5. Thank you for your volunteer service.

We are all grateful for people like yourself. :hug:

[Shine]

8. Thanks for your kind words, flamingyouth

It is my privilege to be of service in this way.

Blessings to you, my friend...
:hug: :pals:

[WCGreen]

10. Too many times, people don;t speak the truth...

I find myself, after having faced the great abyss, speaking truthfully to people facing the same...

They appreciated it more, it seems, than people with cornball optamism...

I had a friend, he would call me every night to talk about what was going on in the world of politics... But then we would discuss what he wanted to have happen after he was gone... No one else talked to him about it...

[flamingyouth]

4. Thank you so much for posting this here!

For anyone in Seattle, there is an exhibit of Soulumination's work up at St. Mark's Cathedral on Capitol Hill through November.

Thanks again for the interest and for posting. :hug:

[auntAgonist]

6. I'm glad you

mentioned the exhibit. I wasn't comfortable giving 'too' much information.


:hug:
and thanks for the PM~!

[WCGreen]

9. That one poor little guy with the O2 taped....

God, I know it's hard for me as a 48 year old to worry about that....

I couldn;t imagine a youngter havinf to deal with this...

[ScreamingMeemie]

11. It is so difficult to see joy and suffering intermingled like that.

To gaze upon the pride these parents show while cradling their children, not knowing what's ahead, has me sobbing. Thanks aA for sharing. :hug: