A Letter from the Executive Director

Dear Friends,

I frequently connect personal experiences to Wings’ patients and their families.  I guess that’s what happens when you’re passionate about your job.

Recently I was reminded of an experience I had years ago.  I think it happened during fall because I remember wearing a heavy jacket and a hat.  A friend of mine was attempting to set a record running on the beach along Lake Michigan.  He had marked off one mile and ran back and forth, over and over. I walked down to the far end of the course, and by the time I walked back it was dark.  A storm had come in.  At the half mile mark, I couldn’t see anything at either end of the course.  No people and no lights. It was so foggy.  I couldn’t even see the edge of the water. I could only hear it, so I kept walking to the sound. It made me think about sailors lost at sea and how terrifying that would be. I wasn’t afraid but I did have to keep telling myself I would see lights at any minute. It seemed to take much longer than it should have. I started to get cold because I was soaked. I was just miserable. Then I saw a huge lantern in the yard of a house along the lake and felt so happy and relieved. I thought again of lost sailors seeing a lighthouse through the fog and how reassuring that would be.  Then I realized I could see the people I was walking toward and knew I was almost ‘home.’

Many of our patients and their families have been on a difficult journey.  Their world can start to revolve around the terminal illness – appointments, treatments, caregiving, reading, research.  It can feel very isolating and lonely.  It is, paradoxically, both a first and a last experience, this journey at the end of life.  For some it is frightening and anxiety-causing.  Some people are miserable.  All are headed somewhere, but they might feel like they can’t see where they’re going.  It can be a dark time.

Wings of Hope is that lantern in the front yard, shining through the darkness and isolation and offering comfort, compassion, reassurance and warmth.  Not only is it our duty, it is our privilege to be trusted to guide each individual along his or her journey and to support those on this end who are saying goodbye.

Let the lights of this holiday season remind us that we are all on a journey, and that some of us are closer to going ‘home’.  Let us be kind and compassionate and let our light shine for others who might need it.

Warmly,

Theresa Lynn, PhD, RN, LMSW
Certified Thanatologist
Executive Director, Wings of Hope
Director, Wings Home

Photography Credit: Craig Gardiner

Posted by Tammi Sprau in Stories