23rd March is the
National Day of Reflection, and on this day we are pleased to launch our new Book of Reflection and Remembrance in our York Room. The book was kindly created and donated to us by The Lovely Gift Group and this beautiful addition will bring great comfort to those returning to the hospice to reflect and remember their loved one.
Some children who are being supported by us were the first to add messages to the book for us. We welcome anyone to share a memory, message or story within the book, it is available at any time in the hospice's York Room.
Rebecca Brambles, our Family Support Team Leader said:
“Many people have found sitting in the York Room, and returning to visit on important days to bring comfort. Some loved ones have expressed they have a feeling of ‘coming home’ when they return to Dove House. The Book of Reflection is there for people to write a thought, share a memory or even draw a picture. We hope this book will bring comfort at a poignant time.”
We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to leave a comment of reflection on our online memory wall, Always Remembered:
dovehousehospice.memorypage.org/alwaysremembered
Dan, whose wife died at the hospice shares with us below what he is reflecting on:
“I couldn’t see a way through our situation at the time but as I look back now I can see that the only way through for us was with the help of the hospice.”
Emily, who spent time at the hospice with her Granny also shares with us her thoughts:
“The kindness shown to us at Dove House to not just my Granny but to all of us was just what we needed and without that, I think our family would have crumbled.”
We know that reflection, when you have lost a loved one, can be difficult and we would like to send our love to you at this time. We found the poem below comforting and we hope it brings you some kind of peace as you reflect too.
On the Death of the Beloved by John O’Donohue
Though we need to weep your loss,
You dwell in that safe place in our hearts,
Where no storm or night or pain can reach you.
Your love was like the dawn
Brightening over our lives
Awakening beneath the dark
A further adventure of colour.
The sound of your voice
Found for us
A new music
That brightened everything.
Whatever you enfolded in your gaze
Quickened in the joy of its being;
You placed smiles like flowers
On the altar of the heart.
Your mind always sparkled
With wonder at things.
Though your days here were brief,
Your spirit was live, awake, complete.
We look towards each other no longer
From the old distance of our names;
Now you dwell inside the rhythm of breath,
As close to us as we are to ourselves.
Though we cannot see you with outward eyes,
We know our soul's gaze is upon your face,
Smiling back at us from within everything
To which we bring our best refinement.
Let us not look for you only in memory,
Where we would grow lonely without you.
You would want us to find you in presence,
Beside us when beauty brightens,
When kindness glows
And music echoes eternal tones.
When orchids brighten the earth,
Darkest winter has turned to spring;
May this dark grief flower with hope
In every heart that loves you.
May you continue to inspire us:
To enter each day with a generous heart.
To serve the call of courage and love
Until we see your beautiful face again
In that land where there is no more separation,
Where all tears will be wiped from our mind,
And where we will never lose you again.