Dear Hospice of Little Traverse Bay,

When Jim & I became "northerners" in April of 2000, so did my Mom & Dad, Betty & Bob. They had been married 58 years and it was time for us to take care of them and their lives to be easier. Mom had Alzheimer's and other health issues; Dad had a laundry list of illnesses including heart failure.

We had a wonderful first year together on the lake. Dad could fish and take Mom for rides in their golf cart. In fall of 2001, Mom began to fail & we were encouraged to call Hospice of Little Traverse Bay. They helped us care for Mom until she died on April 27, 2002.

Our journey with Hospice didn't end there. Shortly after Mom died, Dad became more ill. Hospice was with us again until he died on August 5, 2003.

The people of Hospice of Little Traverse Bay are the angels who hold you up during the journey you make with your loved ones. We were blessed to have Hospice with us for almost a year and a half. It takes truly gifted people to make the journey to death another of God's miracles. We love you, Hospice, and always will.

Peace & hugs, Kathy & Jim Weidman

Dear Friends at Hospice of Little Traverse Bay,

Since we first moved to Northern Michigan seventeen years ago, you have touched our life in many ways. Little did we know that when we attended your grief and loss support group following the death of our mothers that we were "grievers-in-training" for the loss that would one day devastate us. The education we received and the coping skills we learned have proven to be invaluable to our survival.

In the spring of 1995 when our twenty-three-year-old daughter Anna was diagnosed with inoperable, malignant brain tumors, our family found itself swirling in a whirlwind of emotions and questions. Where do parents turn when they are faced with every parent's worst nightmare? Who can guide them through this unbelievable journey? For us the answer was easy.

Through participating in the grief and loss sessions and volunteering for Hospice of Little Traverse Bay for several years, we witnessed the compassion and caring the staff gave to patients with terminal illness and their families. We saw how they helped families find joy and make precious memories with their dying loved ones. We knew that seeking their help was not giving up on living. Without question we turned to Hospice of Little Traverse Bay for guidance and support during this time of transition.

As we embarked upon this journey every member of your staff, from the professionals to the volunteers, were there to answer our questions, attend to our needs, comfort and support us. Your hugs were reassuring. Your presence was comforting. There were always little extra things you did that really made a difference: bringing the Frosties, the videos, your smiles, and even the shared laughter that brought moments of relief from all the tension. Not only did you support us, but you facilitated the education of Anna's coworkers, our friends and our church family to know how to deal with this traumatic experience so that they could assist us in ways that were meaningful and helpful. You supported Anna's younger sister, Debbie, through this very difficult time. We knew we could depend on you to make sure we had everything we needed to help us celebrate life together, make memories, and allow our daughter to live each day to the fullest so that she could die with dignity, peace, and surrounded with love.

Although it has been seven and one half years, you continue to be our friends. We appreciate your caring, your smiles, and especially your remembering. Our hearts overflow with gratitude for the encouragement and support in helping us to charter a chapter of The Compassionate Friends in Northern Michigan. With your assistance this organization is able to support families experiencing the death of a child and provide education to help others be supportive.

With the sincere caring we continue to receive through each one of you at Hospice of Little Traverse Bay we are able to survive this unbelievable nightmare. Because of you we are able to find joy in our memories of an extremely difficult time in our life.

Larry & Paula Funk, Debbie Funk Bishop

Dear Hospice of Little Traverse Bay,

My Mother fought ovarian cancer for four years. She wanted to do things her way. She made a list of things she wanted to do before she lost her battle with this awful disease. She didn't give up mind you - two surgeries, 17 rounds of chemotherapy, not to mention three heads of hair, two wigs and many hours of prayer. We always knew we'd lose her someday - until then she did everything she wanted to do, when she wanted to do it -even visiting Disney World twice.

One of the things the Mom always said was QUALITY NOT QUANTITY. In September 2000, she decided with her Doctor that chemo wasn't working any more and she wasn't having the quality of life that she truly could enjoy. Her Doctor helped her make the decision to go home with Hospice of Little Traverse Bay.

My Mother's Doctor told us that she would probably only last two weeks. I made a deal with her that when she went home for the last time, I'd move in and take care of her and my Father. Mom and I took long naps together, we talked about a lot of things - who she'd see when she went to heaven and what she enjoyed about her life here with us. And, being the woman she was, lasted three weeks instead of two.

The team at Hospice of Little Traverse Bay did many things to help us through this difficult time. They were there for us every step of the way from questions about medicine to bathing and comfort. This group became a part of our family. They didn't just come and check vital signs and leave, they asked how we all were doing. We had conversations about growing up, the trips we took and the lost map to the macadamia nut stash my Mom hid from my Father! They were like friends we had our whole lives who stopped for a visit.

Most importantly, they let us do it the way Mother wanted to and the way we needed to. The day my Mother went to Heaven, Hospice was there. Not knowing with to do next as her journey was over, we looked over family photo albums together, shared stories of my Mother and not once did they say I have to go. They stayed and listened, met more family and friends. They truly were there for us.

The journey we take with a loved one through terminal illness is long and difficult with many obstacles. With Hospice as our guide - our angel- the journey was easier. That's probably why when I look back I start to cry as it truly was a great time for us - they were our family then and now.

Thank you Hospice of Little Traverse Bay!

Nancy Sutton Leist and Family
Petoskey

Dear Hospice of Little Traverse Bay Director,

I would like to commend your whole staff for their professional commitment to quality care. It takes very special people to provide the services you offer, and you have them.

Every staff member I came in contact with during a little over a year you were with our family was incredible - from the nurse-on-call 24 hours a day to the volunteers that provided respite care. I still maintain a relationship with Bob Vance, who is a family counselor. Now that my mother is experiencing her next life, and has been for almost a year now, Hospice continues to make sure I'm informed of grieving programs offered throughout the year.

The terminal disease my Mother was faced with (Lou Gehrig's) was a very cruel disease. The unpredictable stages that occurred were frustrating for everyone involved. The Hospice staff was committed to make my Mother comfortable physically, mentally and spiritually.

Again, I owe many thanks to the staff of Hospice of Little Traverse Bay. You all have a very special place in my heart, and you should feel good about what you do for people every day.

Thank you again,

Eric Baldwin

My Dear Friends at Hospice:

It's taken many days for me to be emotionally able to express my appreciation of your loving care, compassion, dependability and honesty while caring for my husband, Tom, and his devastating terminal illness.

From the first day you entered our home, the weight of Tom's illness passed from our shoulders to you. Because of this, we could center our attention on Tom's last days with dignity, love and peace.

The bereavement counseling available since his death has been especially comforting. It's allowed me the opportunity to face the most difficult experience of my life with the help of the Hospice counselors and people sharing like experiences.

You, indeed, are a very special and loving group of people. You definitely make a difference each day helping others make a life transition with love and dignity.

My love and appreciation to all of you.

Sincerely,

Gale Binstadt, Charlevoix