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Fox Valley Hospice
A Friend Forever
After a long and difficult illness, Jack, a loving husband of
45 years, died. Left behind was his heartbroken wife Nora. Nora drifted
through the days following his death feeling lost, lonely and numb. Friends
and family went back to their lives leaving Nora feeling left behind in
limbo. Having been part of a couple for so many years Nora found being
a surviving spouse a difficult role. Nora spoke of not coping well, struggling
to be "just me," no longer part of a loving couple.
Mary O’Brien, the Fox Valley Hospice Bereavement Coordinator, met
with Nora and thought Nora might benefit form a Fox Valley Hospice volunteer.
Mary suggested weekly visits from a specially trained bereavement volunteer.
Nora agreed.
Nora remembers her first visit from JoAnn. "She rang the bell at
exactly 10:00 on a Thursday morning. JoAnn visited with me that first
day for two hours. The time flew by. I found myself laughing and talking.
IT felt so good," Nora said.
On Thursday morning the following week, JoAnn rang the doorbell
again and suggested they go out for breakfast. Nora spoke of her hesitancy
but agreed to go. Nora remembers this outing as a turning point. "As
we walked out the door, it was like a revelation to me. Spring had arrived
while my back was turned. The sun was shinning, the birds were singing
and the trees were budding. It was though little by little, I was awakening
to the world again."
This simple gesture created a new beginning for Nora. She found
joy in seeing life going on all around her. She remembered seeing children
playing, birds chirping and squirrels running all about.
As her friendship with JoAnn grew, she slowly started to feel
less hopeless. Nora describes her Fox Valley Hospice volunteer as a gift. "JoAnn
is a wonderful listener – she really hears me. She offers non-judgmental
support and has walked beside me in my grief. Sometimes we laugh, sometimes
we cry. JoAnn gives me hope. She cares. Fox Valley Hospice sent me a good
friend that I will cherish forever."
Fox Valley Hospice is a community-based volunteer organization
established in 1981. Our mission is to serve persons with life-threatening
illnesses, their families and bereaved individuals with compassion, respecting
their rights, treating them with dignity and providing service without
charge.
Our partnership with United Way helps us carry out our mission.
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