Hospice for All Seasons

06/05/2026

06/04/2026

"Don't cry because it's over;
smile because it happened."

We might have heard this quote attributed to Dr. Seuss (Dr. Theodore Geisel), the master writer of silly rhymes in children's books. However, there's no evidence that he ever wrote this in any of his books nor included it in any of his speeches. Yet, there's healthy wisdom here, regardless of who said it first!

Often our grief is expressed in tears of sadness that our loved one's life is over. This statement urges us to move to the second phrase to be able to smile because our loved one's life "happened." We have so many happy memories of sharing life with our loved one, if we can move through our grief to a point of remembering experiences about which we can smile.

As our grief progresses from the initial stages of deep loss and sadness, we can choose to shift to remembering and celebrating the many happy memories we share. Some will be funny; some will be poignant; some will contain nuggets of wisdom; some will remind us of the talents and skills they shared with us.

Whenever we can, we are encouraged to find the gratitude that prompts a smile that, for a time, we shared life together. We are invited to smile because "it happened."

If you are at a point in your grief where the memories of your loved one prompt you to smile, but you feel guilty about this or chastise yourself for wanting to smile instead of to cry, our Bereavement Team is available to help you to sort through your conflicted feelings. We will listen to your memories and help you to identify what is "smileable." Simply call 717-234-2555 and ask to speak to a Grief Counselor. Learning to smile when we remember is one of the gifts of grief we are given, but often struggle to accept.

-- Written by Dot Everhart, Chaplain and Grief Counselor

06/03/2026

Soul Chat: Welcome. This is chaplain Rick writing Soul Chats for the month of June. Hope you can follow along with me this month as we will discuss a relevant subject for hospice patients and families. Actually this subject matters to all of us.
The hospice ministry is purposed to assist folks who are dealing with the reality of declining health to the point where medical care can no longer help them. The fact is that without some miracle, they will be passing on out of this life in the near future. We all know that is coming for all of us and our loved ones someday. This reality raises the question of destiny. What is next after life here?
This month I would like to offer a couple of Biblical glimpses regarding life beyond the grave. We don't know every detail about our destiny, but thankfully we know enough to have peace and relieve our fears.

06/01/2026

Be Kind everyday

05/28/2026

"Hold On-- Here Comes the Dawn!"

While we are grieving, we sometimes get so tired and worn out that we feel like giving up. Most of the time, these feelings, while upsetting, are not exactly suicidal feelings. Grieving folks rarely hurt themselves. But, the sense of "being at the end of one's rope" is common, especially when grief is newer and intense.

Of course, whenever we feel that we might hurt ourselves, we need to reach out to a helper immediately! Preferably a professional who is skilled in helping folks "at the end of their rope." Clergy, mental health practitioners, grief counselors, and medical professionals are some of the options. Sometimes we might be too distressed to seek professional help ourselves. This is when family and friends might assist us in finding a professional to assess our situation and to develop safety plans for us.

But, when we are upset, we might benefit from support through music. When the midwestern communities were confronting violence this past winter, groups gathered and sang a song called "Hold On" by Heidi Wilson. There are several different recordings on-line. Choose and use the one that works best for you.

The words are simple:

"Hold on, hold on,
My dear one, here comes the dawn..."

When sung by a group in a chanting style, the music feels comforting and healing. See if this happens for you as you listen. It seems even more helpful when we sing along:

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1DtXQWhNc8/

Our Bereavement Team is another resource for you when you are grieving and feel overwhelmed by sadness. We recommend you call BEFORE you feel like "checking out" in order to end the pain. We will listen to your struggles and suggest strategies to ease the pain while we walk along beside you on your grief journey. You need never to feel alone or without help! Please call 717-234-2555 and speak to a Grief Counselor today!

-- Written by Dot Everhart,
HFAS Chaplain & Grief Counselor

05/27/2026

Soul Chat: Still Standing A while ago, I came across these words by James Norbury:
“How is that tree still standing?” asked Tiny Dragon. “During better times,” said Big Panda, “it grew deep roots. Now it can weather any storm.”
Those words came to mind a few months ago when I was at our cabin. It was windy—no rain, just strong gusts shaking the trees. Suddenly, I heard the crash of a large tree falling. When I ran outside, I saw it lying on the ground, completely uprooted. And yet, surrounding it, other trees were still standing—swaying, but not uprooted.
That scene has stayed with me. The difference wasn’t the wind—they all faced the same conditions. The difference was in the roots. Some had grown deep and strong during quieter seasons, drawing nourishment and anchoring themselves firmly in the soil.
In our work, we meet people in the midst of life’s hardest moments—serious illness, fear, loss, uncertainty, and questions with no easy answers. Some feel completely uprooted, while others, though shaken, remain grounded. Their steadiness doesn’t come from avoiding difficulty, but from the roots they’ve nurtured over time—faith, hope, love, family, community, and a sense of purpose.
It is also a reminder for us. In calmer seasons, when we tend to our inner lives through reflection, gratitude, prayer, or meaningful connection, we are quietly growing roots of our own. Those roots sustain us not only through our personal struggles, but also help us remain a steady presence for those entrusted to our care.So when the wind rises, may we remember Big Panda’s wisdom: our roots matter. And in being rooted, we can help others through difficult seasons in life.
Chaplain Nicki Habecker, HFAS

05/25/2026