As he lay dying
There were nineteen beds in the hospice, that’s what I heard, most of them occupied, but I paid no attention to them. When we first arrived, yes, I’d glanced into the room next to his and saw a tiny woman in the bed, tucked up like a newborn, and the next morning the bed was…
Pandemic denies us shared rituals of grief
By everything that is right and good, Helen Penner’s life should have been celebrated with singing. Singing was a passion for her and her late husband John, and they ensured their eight children found their melodic voices at an early age. The kids grew up singing in church, blending their voices in the four-part harmony…
‘Passing quilt’ gives dignity in death
Death is a frequent visitor at Menno Place, B.C.’s largest senior care facility. Until a couple of years ago, though, deceased residents were removed as quickly as possible on a funeral home gurney, wrapped in a nondescript covering and seen by as few people as possible. But thanks to a group of dedicated quilters, those…
