By now you have had time to settle in to the new year just a little bit. Christmas decorations are down and tucked away for another year. To many, that may seem like a relief. Many emotions are flying at the thought of what the new year might hold. To some, it may mean a new beginning…this year has to be better than the last. Others might wonder how they can possibly go on…face the new year without their loved one. By now you have come to the realization that the world does not stop for you, no matter if you feel that it should. I am here to encourage you not to go at it alone. Find someone that will be a support and encouragement to you in the days and weeks ahead. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help.” If you feel you need someone to talk to, our new bereavement counselor (Chris Dyer) will be available for one on one time. There are also many events that take place throughout the month that you might find helpful. Give some of them a try.
This is the last newsletter I will be sharing with you. It is truly a NEW SEASON for all of us and bittersweet as well. I feel good leaving you in Chris’ hands. He is a kind man, full of faith and compassion. He will make time for you as you need. I pray many blessings on your life’s journey. You have left footprints on my heart. I love you all!
February Events
February 9th-Barnesville support group at Noon at Tlaquepaque
February 11th-Lunch Bunch at Noon at Mr. Lee’s in Cambridge
February 18th-Breakfast support group at 9:00 AM at Patty’s Place in Belle Valley
February 26th-Coffee with Chris men’s coffee and support group meets at 9:00 AM at various places in the community. If interested, contact Chris for details of the upcoming month’s location.
If you have any questions about any of the events, or you find yourself just needing a listening ear, call Chris at 740-432-7440. Blessings!
A new year is upon us! Where does the time go? When I was young, I hated it when someone said how fast the time went, for as a child, I didn’t believe it and I couldn’t wait for the years to pass! Now it is sometimes just a reminder of what was. It is sometimes hard not to wish those days and years back. But, as we are so aware, we cannot! We do, however, need to remind ourselves to make the most of today and pray for a happier tomorrow. A friend once shared four little words with me that might help to make a difference in your days. They are “I have a choice”. We can choose to worry and be upset at life’s circumstances, or we can choose to move ahead one day at a time, making our life count for something. It has been said…”Those who grieve well–heal well”! They also live well-living in the now! I hope you can begin to do that in the coming year.
This new year brings a new season in my life. After 20 plus years here at Hospice of Guernsey, I will be leaving mid-February. We have moved to be closer to our daughter’s family which includes our 2 grandsons. I hope to have the time to be more involved in their lives. I will also be working a couple days a week…just were is yet to be seen. It is bittersweet and I will leave part of my heart with all of you! I hope to introduce my replacement soon!
Upcoming Events:
January 12-Lunch Bunch in Barnesville at Noon at Tlaquepaque
January 14-Lunch group at Noon at Mr. Lee’s in Cambridge
January 21-Support breakfast at 9 AM at Patty’s Place in Belle Valley
January 28-Coffe with Chris: Men’s coffee and support group meets at 9 AM at various places in the community. If interested, contact me for details of the upcoming month’s location.
If you have any questions, call me at 740-432-7440. I am also available for one-on-one time. Remember that together and with support, we can make it through each new day.
As you enter the last month of the year, you have already survived one major holiday of the season. I hope that as you focused on the true meaning of Thanksgiving, you were able to give thanks for something good in your life. But don’t stop now; for the Christmas holiday is upon us! Just as I encouraged you to look at the true meaning of Thanksgiving, I urge you to do something similar at Christmas. The author of this poem states her feelings beautifully!
Sometimes it only takes a new perspective to help us get through the toughest times. I pray you will allow your loved one to shine through you in some way this holiday season. We will be meeting together to remember our loved ones at the Holiday Memorial Service on December 2nd. We will light a candle in their honor/memory, sing a chorus or two and share a good story with those around us.
Upcoming Events
December 10-Lunch Bunch at Mr. Lee’s in Cambridge at 12 Noon.
December 17-Breakfast at Patty’s Place in Belle Valley at 9 AM.
Barnesville lunch group and Coffee with Chris will not meet this month but will reconvene in January.
I am available by phone or appointment. For more information on the above events, call 740-432-7440.
Wishing you a blessed Christmas and a Happier New Year!
Happy Thanksgiving…A time to be thankful. I never realized how many holidays had the words “happy” or “merry” attached to the day or the season prior to taking my current job as bereavement counselor. I soon became aware that theses words frequently have a hollow ring for many during the holidays. But as we begin this stretch of the holidays, I encourage you to focus on the true meaning of Thanksgiving, for there are many things for which we can be thankful. Memories are precious. Share some of those with a friend this holiday season. It may mean that you must make thechoice to be thankful. But I believe as you do, you will feel it in your spirit.
If you are struggling this season, we at Hospice of Guernsey will be glad to help in any way we can. We are offering a holiday memorial service on Tuesday, December 2 at 5:30pm at Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center. It is located at 7033 Glenn Highway, Cambridge. It is open to the public. Feel free to bring someone with you to honor your loved ones. I invite you to come and share the evening with the hospice staff. It will be a short service, including candlelight. A time of refreshments will follow. Hope to see you there.
Many other activities are lined up for the upcoming month as well. Hope to see you soon.
Upcoming Events
November 12-“Lunch Bunch” at Noon at Mr. Lee’s in Cambridge. An informal time to eat and share with others who have experienced a loss.
November 17-Lunch group at Noon at Tlaquepaque in Barnesville.
November 19-Breakfast at 9:00 AM at Patty’s Place in Belle Valley.
November 26-Coffee with Chris: Men’s coffee/support group at 9:00 AM at Wendy’s on East Wheeling Ave., Cambridge.
Feel free to contact me with any questions at 740-432-7440.
Fall is now upon us! Fall forces us to reevaluate some things. Our wardrobe is one of them. It is time to pull out the heavier insulation! We need extra protection from the elements and surrounding environment. This may also be true for you at this point in your grief journey. Extra or additional precautions must be taken for you to get through this season of lice. It is important for you to take care of your emotional needs as well as your physical needs. This is a time in your life when i is vital for you to express your feelings, ask for and accept help, and be kind to yourself. You also need to get plenty of rest, eat healthily, and be alert for physical problems. You may also begin to set short-term and long-term goals. You may want to try a new activity, such as joining a club or organization, taking a new course, do some volunteer work, or evaluating your career goals. Whatever the case may be, find a purpose for the season in which you are now living. We at Hospice will be glad to help in any way we can. Many activities are lined up for the upcoming month. It would be great to see you at some of them. Check your calendar and plan ahead.
Upcoming Events
October 8: “Lunch Bunch” at Mr. Lee’s at Noon. Everyone is welcome!
October 15: Breakfast support group at Patty’s Place in Belle Valley at 9:00 AM.
October 20: Lunch group at Barnesville Tlaquepaque at Noon.
October 29: Men’s “Coffee with Chris” at Wendy’s on East Wheeling Ave at 9:00 AM.
Contact me with any questions at 740-432-7440.
Blessings,
Terri Wootton MSW, LISW, Bereavement Coordinator
Posted on August 21, 2025
Saturday, Aug 23 is a day of remembrance and supporting Hospice of Guernsey.
It’s hard to believe that we are heading into fall. They days are getting shorter, and the evenings are cooler. Change is in the air. For many of you, change took place days, weeks or months ago. Life changes forever when you lose a loved one. It’s as if you are forced to join a club in which you want NO part! Just as we have no control over the calendar and the seasons, we also had no control over the death of our loved ones. The only thing we do have control over is our attitude and how we are going to live with the hand we have been dealt. I can only say to you that things will get easier. In the meanwhile, it is important to surround yourself with positive people, let the tears flow as needed, and remember to live your life as to honor your loved one. Seasons come and go, but memories will live on forever.
I am grateful that I can speak words into your life each month. I only hope that some of them bring you hope. Many of you I have never met, but I want you to know that you are precious to us here at Hospice, and we are here to help in any way that we can. Along with one-on-one time, we offer many group activities. I hope you will take advantage of any that sound interesting or helpful. If you have any questions about anything, feel free to call me at 740-432-7440.
September Activities:
September 10– “Lunch Bunch” at Mr. Lee’s in Cambridge at Noon.
September 17– Breakfast Support Group at Patty’s Place in Belle Valley at 9:00 AM.
September 24– Coffee with Chris Dyer (former Hospice chaplain): Men’s coffee/support group at Wendy’s on East Wheeling Ave., Cambridge at 9:00 AM. Call for information.
The Barnesville support group will meet again in October. Stay tuned for more information.
Call 24/7
