NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE MONTH 

November is when we reach out to raise awareness about hospice and palliative care -- both offer highest quality medical care with the emotional and spiritual support that families need most when coping with a serious or life-limiting illness. Both can help people live each moment of life to the fullest.

As we know, the best time to learn about hospice and palliative care is before you are facing a medical crisis. So join outreach efforts this month by sharing your experiences and knowledge with others. Meanwhile, we wish to honor our Kauai Hospice patients, their families and caregivers AND extend our appreciation to all our staff and volunteers.  MAHALO!

JOURNEY THROUGH GRIEF -- 6 WEEK WORKSHOP SERIES

A Pathway to Hope, Renewal and Inner Peace

This 6-week Adult Grief Support Group, facilitated by Rev. Caroline Miura, Kaua'i Hospice Bereavement & Spiritual Care Coordinator, starts January 10, 2023. In a supportive way, participants will receive information, education and encouragement to explore the complex, confusing and often disorienting feelings experienced when a loved one dies. Pre-registration required. Location: Kauai Hospice Conference Room.  Dates: Tuesdays, January 10, 17, 24, 31, February 7, 14. 

Time: 5:00-6:30 p.m. 

IN GRATITUDE FOR MUSIC

When reminding ourselves of all the people, experiences and “things” we are grateful for, is MUSIC one of them?  Music can provide a deep level of comfort and support, and contribute to emotional and spiritual healing. Sit back, relax, and take some time to listen and reflect on these 3 selections:

Breathe In – Ignas Pociunas

Breathe in, breathe out; walk with me, tell me a story, let it all out…

Breathe In, Breathe Out – Mattias Tell

Close your eyes, hear the voice within, call’n…

Live Like You Were Dying – Tim McGraw

ARTICLE:  REPLAY OF LIFE - WHAT HAPPENS IN OUR BRAIN WHEN WE DIE?

By Maryam Clark, Science writer (February 2022)

Neuroscientists have recorded the activity of a dying human brain and discovered rhythmic brain wave patterns around the time of death that are similar to those occurring during dreaming, memory recall, and meditation. Now, a new study published to Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience brings new insight into a possible organizational role of the brain during death and suggests an explanation for vivid life recall in near-death experiences. Read the Frontier Science News article which also includes a link to the original research:  "Enhanced Interplay of Neuronal Coherence and Coupling in the Dying Human Brain”. 

GOOD READS - "UPON DEPARTURE"

POETRY BY JOHN ROEDEL (Published April 2022)

John Roedel is a comic who unexpectedly gained notability as a writer, storyteller and poet through his heartfelt Facebook conversations that went viral and became an Amazon best-selling book titled, Hey God. Hey John. He is the author of five books and his latest work, Upon Departure, explores through poetry the concept of our grief as a natural wonder that "terraforms the landscape of our world in increments". He says “This is a collection of poems on grief and love that contain little slivers of my heart.”  Because, it can take a lifetime to find peace when our loved one becomes an empty chair at our kitchen table.  

WESTERN HISTORY OF CREMATION

Cremation Association of North America (CANA)

The Cremation Association of North America has a great website whose resources address "all things cremation" including it's history up to present day: "Scholars today quite generally agree that cremation probably began in any real sense during the early Stone Age – around 3000 B.C. – and most likely in Europe and the Near East. During the late Stone Age cremation began to spread across northern Europe, as evidenced by informative finds of decorative pottery urns in western Russia among the Slavic peoples. With the advent of the Bronze Age – 2500 to 1000 B.C. – cremation moved into the British Isles and into what is now Spain and Portugal. Cemeteries for cremation developed in Hungary and northern Italy, spreading to northern Europe and even Ireland. Keep reading...

YOUTUBE - POEM: "I STILL MATTER"

by Patricia A. Fleming

(Read by Simerjeet Singh)

This inspiring poem, beautifully read by Simerjeet Singh, is about aging and aging gracefully -- letting go of the past; of the things we took for granted. Accepting the changes and challenges that old age will bring with it, and at the same time, never letting go of the belief that you still matter. It highlights the importance of embracing and honoring your inner beauty and living with pride and dignity. Mahalo to Volunteer Teri Sakai for sharing this with us. Click here to watch/listen.

POEM: GRIEF

by Gwen Flowers

I had my own notion of grief.

I thought it was the sad time

That followed the death of someone you love.

And you had to push through it

To get to the other side.

But I’m learning there is no other side.

There is no pushing through.

But rather,

There is absorption.

Adjustment.

Acceptance.

And grief is not something you complete

But rather, you endure.

Grief is not a task to finish

And move on,

But an element of yourself –

An alteration of your being.

A new way of seeing.

A new dimension of self.