Give Back Through The Holidays

This year, my family decided that we would like more than anything else to have time together. My daughter is in college a couple of hours away and time together is precious. This also makes me realize that my 10 year old will soon be gone to college as well. Time is fleeting. With that being said, we decided that we would give up Christmas presents and take a vacation together. Because we were giving up presents we decided to give them to someone else this year.

My children chose The Tucker Hospice House in Concord NC. This is where my grandmother spent her last 2 months. She was amazing! She lived to be 100 and see 100 Christmases. It snowed more her last Christmas in Concord than I have ever seen. I believe that my grandmother, who loved snow as she was from Kentucky was blessed with snow during her final days.

The Tucker Hospice House would be her final home. An amazing place. PEACEFUL, COMFORTING, QUIET, BEAUTIFUL, SOLITUDE, SUPPORT, LOVE! These are all things that come to mind when I think of the Tucker House. A beautiful lodge like home filled with peacful decor and the holidays is transformed into a wonderland. Beautiful trees and views outside as well as a roaring fireplace with beautiful trees to set the holiday spirit for those who are experiencing unimaginable grief and pain.

We spent Thanksgiving thru New Years at the Tucker Hospice House. At times, hungry and tired but never wanted to leave. With no restaurants around you either brought something or had to leave and get food and return. In addition, days were long and any time someone would enter bearing song, stories, gifts or yummy treats brightened our days. I will never forget someone delivering warm baked banana bread one afternoon. We were hungry and the snacks in the vending machine did not satisfy. Boy that banana bread did the trick. Warmed our hearts and filled our tummies.

Thanksgiving Day, my family took the Tucker Hospice House handmade placemats for their Holiday Meal, fresh baked cookies, prepackaged snacks from chips to candies to crackers, hot cocoa, holiday window cling decorations and more. The house was quiet and as we walked the halls passing my grandmothers old room, I noticed an elderly woman alone. I continued to walk and all the rooms were quiet....no visitors anywhere. Just patients sleeping and quiet. It was I in the afternoon and not one visitor in site. My heart broke. I hope that the patients were cheered up by a little gift on Thanksgiving.

Through this I realized that our giving was important. Not to be recognized or to be seen. Really to not be seen or heard. Just silent and quiet. Gifts quietly dropped in each patients room to brighten their day and put a little smile on their face. My Grandmother Willa Mae Hurst receiving gifts from a stranger over the holidays. My grandmother was 99 in this photo.

We will be doing this through the holiday season. It has blessed my family and I hope others as well. If you are interested in helping with the Tucker Hospice House in Kannaplis NC let me know. I will be glad to help you in any way I can.

Give back during the Holidays. Give back always but the Holidays are especially hard for those in the hospital or at a Hospice House. A simple gesture can fill the hearts of many. May your holiday be richly blessed.