Hi – my name is Vicki. My friend died at Cascade and the family received support from a caring Hospice volunteer. After the trauma of the death, I felt like I too, could volunteer at Cascade. I took the training and have been there for 10 years. A place that allows a loved one to die with as little pain as possible in an environment that provides a precious gift for family and the patient to say final good-byes in an environment of peace and dignity.
Later I began volunteering with the First Step Grief Group. It provides a safe and caring atmosphere to help family and friends adjust to the new reality without their loved one. Some I’ve known in Cascade. It is such an honor to have their trust to help them deal with their grief. Grief can hurt and confuse us. We so often say in the group, “Everyone in the room gets it” they are all living it. All the emotions are real, none are right or wrong. I learn too, each time we have a group, how to process grief without my loved one.
I have a husband who volunteers at the Thrifty Boutique, he believes as strongly as I do that this is an amazing organization. We are retired and can “give back”. We enjoy our grandkids and yes, our 5 great grandkids. I like to decorate, sew, and do all the things that I never had time to do before retiring. I also love to travel and to bring back memories that are used to decorate our travel room. I felt particularly fortunate last year to visit the first hospice opened at St. Christopher’s in London England. Amazing.
