THRESHOLD CHOIR CONNECTION
One of Penny’s librarian teacher friends also
leads the Vancouver chapter of the Threshold Choir and came everyday with one
or two other choir members to sing for Penny.
“When invited to a bedside, our
singers serve to bring ease and comfort to those at the thresholds of living
and dying.”
Our Richmond Hospice Coordinator of Volunteers invited the Choir to present and demonstrate at one of our Volunteer meetings a couple of years ago. She has since joined the choir herself.
We had 2 Art Therapy students as guest
presenters at last Thursdays Hospice Volunteer meeting. It was a rich and wonderful experience of
hands on learning of a new tool to add to our tool box. After the meeting I spent a few minutes with
our Coordinator and discovered that she was one of the choir members that
visited Penny. They recognized each
other from the BCCA relaxation group days back in the 1990’s. The Coordinator has also been reading my Soul
Journey story and wondered if my Penny character was this person she recognized
and connected with. It was.
When I phoned Gertie Friday morning, she told me that Penny had passed away. It doesn’t surprise any of us that Penny chose Halloween to leave. This is what Mary posted.
Dear Friends of Val
It's Lori once again. It saddens me to inform everyone that Val passed away early this morning. At the same time, I take comfort in knowing that she is finally at peace...it was a long, long struggle that she fought without complaint. Pru said she went peacefully, as she had wished. And how very like her to choose this day!
The outpouring of love for Val over these last few months has been astounding. Especially in these last weeks, her room has almost always had someone there with her, and I know how she enjoyed hearing from everyone near and far.
Last week, the Val Hamilton teacher-librarian award was presented at the BCTLA conference. All her work for our profession and learning conditions was mentioned, and Jim Iker was in attendance. He took the time to visit Val the next day and personally thank her for all her important contributions. A real gentleman, for sure, and I know Val would be so pleased to have heard that conversation.
Thank you, everyone, for every little thing you did to enhance Val's life and final days.
She will be missed.
*** Names in my story had been changed for confidentiality
Sage
Sage
