During my many travels from Arkansas, where I reside, to my hometown of Mooers, N.Y, to visit family and friends, I’ve had the opportunity, along with my dad, to participate in Hospice of the North Country in Plattsburgh, N.Y.

I feel twice blessed because I’m a volunteer at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale. I’ve come to realize that neither the name of the town nor state makes hospice what it is.

Hospice is people, people with caring and compassionate hearts. People who have faith not only in God but also in themselves. Knowing that by reaching out to someone else, even a total stranger, that they can make a difference. Caring people who help make a difficult time in another person’s life a little more comfortable knowing there’s a caring soul.

Hospice is the extended hand.

People who are willing to sit

quietly by a bedside, hold a hand, wipe a tear or just listen bring comfort.

People involved with hospice can find strength and satisfaction by caring for another human being.

The rewards are beyond comprehension.

One is richly blessed with a smile, a hug or a handshake.

All these priceless gifts we sometimes take for granted.

Hospice is a source where one finds comfort and hope where the fear of being alone is gone.

One feels compassion when another reaches out.

Walking with one or many on a journey to a new horizon brings satisfaction along life’s path. It touches the soul.

Life can be confusing. It’s almost like being confined in a maze, yet that one person reaching out with their hand, hug, smile or listening ear can bring comfort and the maze

seems to open.

It’s amazing how difficult live can be, walking its new path with altering twists, turns and ups and downs.

How different one can feel when someone reaches out with their heart during difficult times.

It’s amazing something so simple can mean so much to another human being. How beautiful it is to touch another heart at no charge.

Circle of Life Hospice or Hospice of the North Country to me are a gathering of people in a circle that links together to make a difference.

Life is the key. Circle is the family. We are all the keys to caring hearts.

My being a part of hospice has made a difference in my life and the lives of family and friends.

Reach out and become a volunteer.

Opinion, Pages 5 on 11/07/2009

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