one more time For William Taylor, fishing has been a way of life. He spent much of his working life as a fishing guide, taking clients to the best spots on East Texas lakes, sharing his knowledge and assuring them of a good catch. But fishing wasn’t just a way to make a living. Mr. Taylor just plain loved to fish, and whether he was working at his job or on his own time, he was drawn to the water. A stringer full of fish was satisfying, of course, but it was more than that. The quiet time spent by an East Texas pond, surrounded by trees and warmed by the sun was a time a man could catch his breath, slow down his thoughts, enjoy the beauty and the quiet. Since his admission to Trinity Rehabilitation and Care Center in San Augustine, Mr. Taylor has missed the water, and he has missed fishing. When he shared his thoughts with Anna Cooper, his social worker from Hospice of East A PUBLICATION OF THE HOSPICE OF EAST TEXAS FALL 2010 one more time . . . Texas, that was all it took! On a warm spring day, Mr. Taylor went fishing one more time. With him were Willard Birdwell, a Hospice volunteer, Brother Sonny Scarbrough, a local pastor, and Jessica Henderson, Hospice’s Director of Community Outreach for Deep East Texas. Brother Sonny had plenty of tackle and knew a friend with a stocked pond that was easily accessible for Mr. Taylor’s wheelchair. Jessica loaded up snacks and drinks, and Mr. Birdwell brought the worms. It was a perfect afternoon, the lake shimmering in the sun, not too much conversation, a really good catch. Everyone in the group appreciated the special moments together and the joy on Mr. Taylor’s face as he reeled in fish after fish. When they returned to the Care Center, Mr. Taylor was very, very tired, but he was also very happy, and he had a question for the fishing crew from Hospice. “Why did you choose me?” he asked. Why, Mr. Taylor? Because at Hospice we know that every day is a gift, a treasure not to be wasted but to be spent doing what brings meaning and joy. Because we knew that going fishing one more time mattered to you—and so it mattered to us at Hospice of East Texas. Because you are our patient, Mr. Taylor, and it is our honor and privilege to share these days with you, no matter their number, and to make them the best they can be.
Transcript
one more timeFor William Taylor, fishing has been away of life. He spent much of hisworking life as a fishing guide, takingclients to the best spots on East Texaslakes, sharing his knowledge andassuring them of a good catch.
But fishing wasn’t just a way to make aliving. Mr. Taylor just plain loved tofish, and whether he was working at hisjob or on his own time, he was drawnto the water. A stringer full of fish wassatisfying, of course, but it was morethan that. The quiet time spent by anEast Texas pond, surrounded by treesand warmed by the sun was a time aman could catch his breath, slow downhis thoughts, enjoy the beauty and thequiet.
Since his admission to TrinityRehabilitation and Care Center in SanAugustine, Mr. Taylor has missed the
water, and he has missed fishing.When he shared his thoughts
with Anna Cooper, hissocial worker from
Hospice of East
A PUBLICATION OF THE HOSPICE OF EAST TEXAS
FALL 2010
onemore time . . .Texas, that was all it took!
On a warm spring day, Mr. Taylorwent fishing one more time. With himwere Willard Birdwell, a Hospicevolunteer, Brother Sonny Scarbrough,a local pastor, and Jessica Henderson,Hospice’s Director of CommunityOutreach for Deep East Texas.Brother Sonny had plenty of tackleand knew a friend with a stocked pondthat was easily accessible for Mr.Taylor’s wheelchair. Jessica loaded upsnacks and drinks, and Mr. Birdwellbrought the worms.
It was a perfect afternoon, thelake shimmering in the sun,not too much conversation, areally good catch. Everyonein the group appreciated thespecial moments togetherand the joy on Mr. Taylor’sface as he reeled in fish afterfish. When they returned tothe Care Center, Mr. Taylorwas very, very tired, but hewas also very happy, and hehad a question for the fishingcrew from Hospice. “Why didyou choose me?” he asked.
Why, Mr. Taylor? Because at Hospicewe know that every day is a gift, atreasure not to be wasted but to bespent doing what brings meaning andjoy. Because we knew that goingfishing one more time mattered toyou—and so it mattered to us atHospice of East Texas. Because youare our patient, Mr. Taylor, and it isour honor and privilege to share thesedays with you, no matter theirnumber, and to make them the bestthey can be.
ode to Ms. B
Teddy Rooseveltwas Presidentwhen Ms. B wasborn. She livedfor 102 years.Over her lifespan
she was a daughter, wife, mothergrandmother and friend to many.Her last years were spent in awheelchair. Her body was witheredand twisted, with tiny legs too weakto allow her to walk. She wasalmost completely deaf andsqueaked like a mouse when shespoke, but she would always smileand be happy to have visitors.
The night she died, her biologicalfamily was not able to come to herdeath bed, but we came, her familyof friends and her caregivers. Wecame, we cried and we kissed hergoodbye. And on that night, notlong after Ms. B’s flickering candlewent out, I saw a brilliant fallingstar in the dark summer sky. Likeher life, it shown brightly for ashort while, then flickered anddisappeared.
One hundred and two yearsreduced to an instant, in the infinityof time and space. A poignant andsobering reminder of just howfleeting life can be.
Sweet, sweet Ms. B., we will missyou and we will remember you . .. . always.
Darline McCraw, RN,BSN, Hospice of East
Texas, HomeCareCase Manager
I don’t do enough. . .
And how could it be that Valerie Hardy doesn’t doenough? She has a busy life as a wife, mother andgrandmother and as a vice president at American StateBank. Born and raised in Arp, Valerie’s only employerhas been the bank. . . since she was 18 and fresh out ofhigh school. As Valerie says, she has “worked all overthe bank”, and all over the community, in her son’sschool and activities, and in her church, as a volunteer.
Why add Hospice of East Texas to her full life and hermany commitments? “There’s just something about Hospice that has alwayspulled me,” says Valerie. Twenty five years ago, she and her husband hadHospice care at home for her mother-in-law, and it was a wonderful experience.“One year, I made a New Year’s resolution to get involved with Hospice,” saysValerie, “and it took me a year to really make it happen.”
Four years later, Valerie Hardy adds “Hospice of East Texas volunteer” to thelong list of things that fill her life. She leaves the bank on Thursdays and worksthe front desk at HomePlace every Thursday evening. “Everyone knows thatThursday is my Hospice day,” Valerie says. “If they need me, they know whereto find me.”
Greeting people as they come into HomePlace is work that Valerie finds verymeaningful. “So many people have a conception of what a hospice facility islike,” she says. “They think it will be dark and gloomy and sad, but HomePlace isjust the opposite. If they are coming here for the first time, I want them not to benervous or afraid.”
Valerie recognizes the importance of the front desk at HomePlace. “It helps forpeople to see someone sitting here when they come in,” says Valerie, “especiallyif it is the first day, and they are here to admit someone they love. I want them tofeel welcomed.”
But HomePlace isn’t all Valerie does as a volunteer. She also visits Hospicepatients in their homes, currently serving two patients who reside in nursinghomes and one who lives in his own home. “All my patients are glad to see me,especially those I visit in nursing homes. At the end of life, for whatever reason,people are often alone. . . but they still love company. I am so happy to be withthem.”
Valerie recently posted a message on her Facebook wall, encouraging all herfriends to join her in volunteering for Hospice of East Texas. “It humbles meevery day,” she says.
At Hospice of East Texas, we are humbled by Valerie’s service. . . and byanyone’s standards, she is certainly “doing enough.”
i don’t do enough . . .i don’t do enough . . .
HOET thank you
“Dear Angels – We’ll call
you angels because no
angel could have been
more gentle or kind while
our husband and father
was in your care. It is a
special calling given to
those who are diligently
working with so much love
and care to make the final
days or hours of a loved
one easy. We’ll never
forget how wonderful you
all were in making us feel
at home. You made our
worries leave and our dear
one comfortable. Our only
greater joy would have
been if you could have
really known him.”
“Your facility is so clean,
so beautiful and so very
peaceful! I was most
impressed! Each person
who helped take care of
my aunt was so caring, so
soft spoken and very
gentle. Thank you! You
also took time out of your
busy schedule to talk to
each of us, answer our
questions, and help us any
way you could.”
I cannot express how grateful mybrother and I are to have had staff fromHospice of East Texas to care for ourmother during her illness. Her final 18days on earth were spent in her ownhome, and we are grateful for this, as itwas our mother’s request.
Due to the equipment, medications,and care provided by Hospice of EastTexas, my brother and I were able tocare for our mother at home. Saying“thank you” just seems too little to sayto the staff that tended to our mother.Deborah Palmer, RN and TonyaAnderson, CNA provided wonderfulcare to Mom. They always treated herwith the utmost dignity and kindnessand provided support for my brotherand I as well.
Special thanks go to Dr. Tom Beetswho came out and made a house visitto see mother. I can’t tell you how verymuch it meant to my brother and I tohave Dr. Beets say, “You all are doing agood job of taking care of yourmother.” Sometimes we doubted thatwe were doing all that we could forMom, but Dr. Beets alleviated thosedoubts and fears. Dr. Beets is truly oneof the most kind and caring doctorsthat we have ever met, and we are trulygrateful to him.
Once again, the caring staff of Hospiceof East Texas has blessed our family.We thank you all from the bottom ofour hearts for everything. We will mostdefinitely recommend Hospice of EastTexas for anyone seeking services.
dear hospicedear hospice,
Light up aLight up aTHE H
OSPICE OF EAST TEXAS FOUNDATION
PRESENTSIn loving memory
of a friend or relative
In honor of someone
who lights up your life
As a holiday gift in honor
of family, friends or
business associates
As the holiday season approaches, wehope you will consider supporting TheHospice of East Texas by making acontribution to Light Up A Life, thesignature fundraiser that has been anessential source of private donationsfor our programs for more than twentyyears.
As you honor your friends orremember your loved ones, your giftsto Light Up A Life provide the
financial support essential to Hospiceof East Texas’ ability to offerextraordinary care at the end of life atno direct cost to patients and theirfamilies.
Watch your mail for Light Up A Lifematerials. What better way to givethan to make a contribution that willdirectly touch the lives of people whoneed our care and compassion?
—Peggy Munsinger & Don Reid
Members of The Junior League of Tylerparticipated in the League’s Day of Service bycleaning up flowerbeds and patio furniture at
the Pat Oge Center for Living at HOET.
Shane Lee,Director of Facilities
Management,receives a donation
of lantanas fromJordan’s Plant Farmfor summer planting
Pine Cove Camp Counselors spent a hot summer day washing carsfor HomePlace guests as part of the Mission Tyler service day. While
at HOET, they also presented camp scholarships to the children oftwo employees, Susan Crumpton and Lola Sirles
Volunteers Richard Liptak and Ellen Wallacededicate themselves to helping bereavedfamily members through HOET GriefWorkshops and Support Groups.
Hospice of East Texas has createda Walk of Friends in theNacogdoches County MasterGardeners’ demonstration gardenin downtown Nacogdoches. Thiswalk is similar to the “Walk ofFriends” in the gardenssurrounding HomePlace, Hospice’sfreestanding in-patient facility inTyler. Paved with bricks, the Walkof Friends will be etched withlasting memories, joyful tributesand fond farewells given in honor ormemory of friends and loved ones.
HOET thank you
“Thanks to you and all
the many other folks at
Hospice of East Texas.
Thank you for
remembering the one
year anniversary of my
husband’s home-going.
You have been so
helpful during this
year, and at times, my
lifeline to get me
through a day or
a week.”
“This is a note of
sincere appreciation for
the Hospice Home
Aides and RNs that
came to my home for
the care of my precious
mother. There is no
word in Webster’s
Dictionary that can be
said – they were just
simply great. They
made me feel like they
were treating a little
fragile doll as they did
their daily duty.
Everyday they left I
would go to her bed
and say ‘Oh Mother,
they’ve got you looking
so pretty!’”
While a senior at Robert E. Lee,Alex Way did two rotations at
Hospice HomePlace as part ofher Health Science Tech class.
Alex had planned to do only onerotation, but she found that
HomePlace had a special placein her heart. “My greatgrand-
mother was cared for here, andthey were so good to her,” saidAlex. “There’s just no place like
it!” Alex is continuing herstudies at Tyler Junior College
this fall and plans to transfer toStephen F. Austin.
There are justsome things that
are important.When a HomePlace
patient wanted tosee his horse, it
was fine for his sonto bring it for a visit
right up to thepatient’s window.
When Hattie Watson died at HomePlaceshe was comforted by the homemadequilt on her bed, and her family wastouched by its presence. DaughtersMartha Yancey (pictured) and Mary EllenSheffield created a beautiful quilt in theirmother’s memory. Its floral pieces camefrom the smock Mrs. Watson wore at ajob she adored, serving as nurserycoordinator at her church, First Baptistin Liberty City. This beautiful quilt willnow provide comfort to another family,in Mrs. Watson’s memory.
The Friends of Hospice of East Texasdesignated a portion of their contributiontoward the purchase of a beautiful quiltart pieces for family rooms at HomePlace.
JoAnn and Joe Bill Belue
Dawn and Lanny Bridges
Patti and Hub Coleman
Libby and Larry Dixon
Charlotte and Joe Elliottin memory of Mr. and Mrs. JoeElliott, Sr. and Betty Crow
Karen and Keith Freeman
Janet and Paul Fulmer
Amanda and Erich Habermehl
June and Steve Hillis
Sharlotte and Tommy Hyde(Crew Cut)
Sherry and Keith Ingram
Pam and Mike Jones
Kay and Paul Latta
Margaret and John Moss
Suzanne and Scott Myers
Peggy and Jim Ryder
Tammy Scahill
Debbie and Joe Smith
Jarvie and Earnie Stroupe
Latricia and Joe Sutton
Suzi and David Teegarden
Pam and Don Thedford
Serena and Ronald Vrnakin memory of Lucille Stiles
Chesley and Ted Walters
It all adds up.
The refurbishment of the Robert M. Rogers Hospice Centerand HomePlace in the early part of this year was a hugeundertaking. Every surface was repainted, re-floored orredone. Every piece of furniture was replaced . . . all newstate-of-the-art hospital beds in the patient rooms, all newtables, couches and chairs in the family gathering spaces, solovingly and constantly used for more than ten years. A bigproject with a big budget.
A group of donors looked at the renovation project, andwere not overwhelmed by its size at all. “What can we do?”,they asked, and they found a piece of the renovation tomake their own. Thirty one families committed to thepurchase of thirty one televisions - 28 small ones for thepatient rooms and three larger ones for the family rooms.
About the same time, Barbara Bain was cleaning out herflower beds and had a mountain of monkey grass thatneeded a new home. As a member of the Friends ofHospice of East Texas, Barbara was familiar with thegardens around HomePlace and called to see if her monkey
grass could be of use. The Junior League volunteers plantedit around the Oge Center for Living when they were oncampus for their Day of Service, making the walkways thatgreet bereaved families welcoming once again.
Televisions and monkey grass. A meal for a patient’s family.An hour of time. A $25 gift in memory of a friend. Agroup’s day of service together.
Hospice of East Texas cares for more than 325 patients andtheir families on any given day in a service area that coversthousands of square miles. Our ability to do that is madepossible by all sorts of gifts, none of them small, each ofthem contributing to Hospice’s commitment to care for allwho need us, regardless of their financial circumstances.Money not spent on televisions can provide medicine for apatient who doesn’t have insurance coverage. Money savedon maintaining the gardens buys art supplies for groups ofbereaved children.
Every gift matters to Hospice of East Texas.
It all adds up.
Please advise us of any errors or omissions.
televisions, monkey grass...televisions, monkey grass,and other good things.
HomePlace TV Donors
Samuel TaylorColeridge,English poet andphilosopherpenned thethought, “Thehappiness of lifeis made up of
minute fractions—the little soonforgotten charities of a kiss or smile, akind look, a heartfelt compliment, andthe countless infinitesimal ofpleasurable and genial feeling.”Coleridge captures the essence of thehuman experience; the fibers fromwhich the fabric of life is woven.
I am convinced that the collection ofthousands of little things has providedcomfort and peace to our patients andthose who care for and about them andhave made the Hospice of East Texas abetter program. To name a few…
• Answering a call in the lonely middleof the night hours (whether atHomePlace or a triage nurse talking afamily member through an approach)to manage pain, or another symptom,eases anxiety and anguish.
• A gentle touch on the arm orshoulder, the presence of self, provided byhospice colleagues (staff and volunteers).
• Realizing when a family or a colleagueneeds additional support and providingor arranging for the support.
• Acknowledging when one needsadditional support and guidance (forwe are human) and together creating aculture where it is comfortable to seeksupport.
• Knowing when to just listen!
• Driving an hour (or two) to deliverequipment, medication, medicalsupply or expertise while on call, thendoing it again because another patientand/or family has a need, withgraciousness and compassion.
• Serving the Hospice of East Texasmission, meeting patients and familieson their terms, not ours. Each end oflife journey is personal and unique.
• Valuing our team members.
• Knowing that the little things matter,such as searching six grocery storesuntil the favorite popsicle flavor wasobtained or providing a manicure oran unexpected visit because of anintuition of a need.
• Challenging each other to do ourbest, and together creating a culturewhere it is safe, and expected, to posesuch challenges.
I could continue to expound for hoursand pages. The little thingscontributed by the Hospice of EastTexas Board, staff and volunteers havehad an exponential positive impact onthe lives we have touched; one person,one family at a time. It is an honor anda privilege to serve.
