Tag Archives: Faith Hospice

Special Valentine’s Day delivery leads to a history lesson about the City of Wyoming

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Faith Hospice volunteer Elaine Martin delivers a handmade card and Valentine’s Day box of chocolates to former Wyoming resident and historian Dorothy Simon-Tibbe. (Photo by WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Dorothy Simon-Tibbe easily admits that she was always better at giving gifts than receiving.

So it should have come as no surprise to the media crew at Faith Hospice Trillium Woods covering the special Valentine’s Day deliveries to patients that the first thing the former Wyoming resident and historian would do with her box of chocolates is open it and offer a piece to everyone.

A Valentine’s Day card that hands in Dorothy Simon-Tibbe’s room. (Photo by WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

“I appreciate being remembered,” Dorothy said. And as she passed around the candy, she added “You know I have been very blessed in that I have already received a lot of candy for Valentine’s Day.”

A small table near the doorway to Dorothy’s room has Lindt chocolates and other goodies along with Valentine’s Day notes. Across from where Dorothy sits is a large Valentine’s Day card that hints at her generosity: “No one has a bigger heart than you.”

“The reactions are all different,” said Cheryl Brink. volunteer coordinator for Faith Hospice Trillium Woods, about the annual Valentine’s Day delivery of candy to patients. “There are lots of smiles. Who doesn’t love chocolate?”

Valentine Day’s candies and cards ready for delivery. (Photo by WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

The Valentine’s Day surprise started about four years ago as an anonymous donor wanted to remember a family member and thank Faith Hospice for the care it provided. The person donated the boxes of chocolates and volunteers distributed the candy to Faith Hospice patients at the Trillium Woods, in their individual homes, and other nursing facilities where Faith Hospice oversees care.

The special Valentine’s Day surprise was so well received that every year since an anonymous donor has purchased the chocolates to be distributed to the Faith Hospice patients, which total more than 300.

“It’s just so joyful,” said Elaine Martin who once lived in the Wyoming area but now resides in Shelbyville with her husband. “There is surprise and joy. Some question where the candy came from and why. They usually smile back and sometimes invite you to sit with them for awhile. It’s a happy moment of their day.”

Upon receiving the candy, Dorothy immediately invited Elaine to sit with her and chat.

“You are probably going to say that Dorothy talked and talked and talked,” she said with a laugh, but being a former Wyoming historian and a “Wyominite” for most of her life (Dorothy originally came from the Traverse City area) had had a lot of stories to share.

Former Wyoming resident and historian Dorothy Simon-Tibbe and Faith Hospice volunteer Elaine Martin look over one of the Wyoming history books that Dorothy helped wrote. (Photo by WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)


She talked about her time as writer for the Southkent Advocate which lead to her getting involved with her beloved City of Wyoming. She showed off the two City of Wyoming history books she helped write “Wilderness to Wyoming” and “A City of Wyoming: A History,” along with a book she wrote for her family “Hoe Your Own Row.” She had stories of being on the city’s Planning Commission and other city committees and that “I knew every mayor and city council member…at least who was in my age bracket.”

“I have had such an incredible life,” Dorothy said. “As I look at the end of life, I am not bother by it at all. I married two wonderful husbands, had five wonderful children by birth, three foster children, 19 grandchildren, 47 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.”

As Elaine gets ready to leave, she gives Dorothy hug, thanks her for sharing and tells Dorothy that she will definitely have to pick up one of Dorothy’s books as she is curious about the area she once lived in.

“It’s more than just the candy,” Elaine said as she readies the candy cart for the next deliveries. “It is someone is thinking about me.”

Snapshots: Wyoming, Kentwood news you ought to know

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Life is short, break the rules, forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile. Twenty years form now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

Mark Twain



By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Rocking the Night

The Wyoming Summer Concert series is well underway with the Brena Band performing tonight at 7 p.m at Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW. The West Michigan band is known for its large repertoire that includes, country, RnB, rock, pop, and more. Tonight’s theme is Disney with the audience encouraged to have fun with it. Also before the show, there will be a yoga session to get everyone warmed up.

It’s all fun and games

The Grand Rapids Public Museum recently expanded its TOYS! exhibit. More than 15 new interactives will fill the first floor galleria, into the Streets of Old Grand Rapids exhibit and on the Museum’s second floor, overflowing from the TOYS! exhibit. Visitors will enjoy playing giant versions of their favorite games including: Battleship, Lincoln Logs, Chess, Connect Four, UNO, Kerplunk, Tic Tac Toe, Lite Brite and more! Speaking of the Grand Rapids Public Museum, now is the time to scoop up tickets to the museum’s Front Row for the Fireworks event for the city’s July 6 fireworks. Tickets are $15.

A day for remembering

Faith Hospice will be hosting its annual Service of Remembering and Butterfly Release Thursday, June 13. The event will take place at 7 p.m. at Trillium Woods, 8214 Pfeiffer Farms Drive, SW in Byron Center. The Service of Remembrance and Butterfly Release provides just that for those who participate. It is an opportunity for families to gather together to honor the lives of the person or people who have passed away. Because butterflies are often considered deep and powerful representations of life, and the transformation that some people of faith believe, they are a wonderful symbol of the life of the individual.

Mt. Avron is owned by a local paper company, but there is public access to it. Above is a picture of the summit and log book. (Wikipedia)

Fun Fact: Up a Hill, Down a Mountain

Tennessee has the Smokey Mountains, Colorado has the Rockies and Michigan has the Huron Mountains. The Huron Mountains are located in the Upper Peninsula in the Baraga State Forest Area. The highest point in Michigan is Hurons’ Mt. Arvon at 1,979 feet. Interestingly, Mt. Arvon has only had the designation since 1982, when it was determined through modern technology that Mr. Arvon was one foot higher than Mt. Curwood, which was at that time considered the highest point in the state.

Remembrance event at Trillium Woods allows grieving families to release butterflies

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Faith Hospice will hosts its annual Service of Remembrance and Butterfly Release Thursday, June 13 at its Trillium Woods campus in Byron Center. (Supplied)

By Faith Hospice


Local hospice provider, Faith Hospice, is holding a special event on Thursday, June 13, at its Trillium Woods campus that invites families who have lost loved ones in its care to join together in honor and remembrance through the release of butterflies. The second annual Service of Remembrance and Butterfly Release will be held at 7 p.m. at Trillium Woods, 8214 Pfeiffer Farms Drive, SW in Byron Center.

The Service of Remembrance and Butterfly Release provides just that for those who participate. It is an opportunity for families to gather together to honor the lives of the person or people who have passed away. Because butterflies are often considered deep and powerful representations of life, and the transformation that some people of faith believe, they are a wonderful symbol of the life of the individual.

One of last year’s attendees gets ready to release a butterfly. (Supplied)

In 2018, approximately 170 people attended the service and released butterflies in honor of family and friends. The theme of this year’s remembrance is “We Grieve With Hope.”

“Many of the families who participated in 2018 walked away with a sense of hope and of new beginnings as the butterflies were released,” said Faith Hospice Bereavement Manager Janet Jaymin. “Grieving is composed of so many stages and remembering the life of your loved one is a key part of the process.”

Community members are invited to attend the event as well. Registration is required by calling 616-356-4820. More information can be found at faithhospice.org/events.

“Bereavement, or the process of grieving a loved one, is a very personal experience,” Jaymin said. “One of the most important things about the grieving process is that every person’s grief is unique and that recovering from grief does not mean forgetting your loss or your loved one because we don’t forget the people we love. Taking the time to remember and commemorate their life is a significant part of the grieving process.”

Friends and families gather at the 2018 Service of Remembrance and Butterfly Release. (Supplied)

Holland Home: Supporting someone who is grieving

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By Peg Cochran

Marketing Communications Manager, Holland Home

 

Grieving the loss of friends or family is a difficult process for everyone.  It is also difficult to determine how to support someone else when they go through the grieving process.  What is the best way to walk through grief with someone you love?

 

“Many people find that being with someone who has experienced a loss makes them uncomfortable,” said Janet Jaymin, Director of Bereavement Services for Faith Hospice and a certified grief counselor. “It’s a reminder of our own mortality, and we don’t want to think about it.”

 

According to Jaymin, when you walk through grief with someone you care about, you should keep in mind how you would like to be treated in similar circumstances.  If for some reason dealing with a friend or relative’s grief is too difficult for you, it’s best to be honest.
“Just tell them you are having a hard time coping,” Jaymin said.  “Listening is the number one thing you can do for your loved one.  It’s so easy and so simple.”

 

What should you do or say when someone is grieving?

  1. Listen

Be willing to actively listen in silence.

“Put away your cell phone,” notes Jaymin, “and really be there.”

 

  1. Validate their experience.

Phrases like “it must have been really hard,” show you understand their grief is real.

 

  1. Offer your support.

Take the initiative and offer practical assistance such as walking the dog, going to the grocery store or preparing a meal.

“Your loved one may fear being a bother, and not want to ask for help even though they need it,” said Jaymin.  “Offering something specific makes it easier for them to accept the help.”

 

  1. Encourage your loved one to talk about the person they lost.

“Telling stories is healing,” said Jaymin.  “And don’t be afraid to share your own memories of the deceased.”

 

  1. Let the bereaved person talk about how their loved one died—it ‘s a way to process a traumatic experience.

 

 

What to avoid when someone is grieving.

 

  1. Don’t minimize their loss or compare it to yours. Don’t say “I know how you feel.”  Every person grieves differently and has different feelings.  Don’t say “they’re in a better place” or “it’s God’s plan.”

 

  1. Don’t say, “It’s time to get on with your life,” or “it’s been six months….” Phrases like this, while well-intentioned, shame the grieving person.

“Everyone grieves differently,” said Jaymin, and the amount of time the process takes varies from person to person.

 

  1. Generally, avoid using “you should” or “you will” statements. Respect that the grieving person is on a journey that is unique to them.

 

People often assume that grief does, or should, last a certain period of time.  According to Jaymin, that is not true.  She recommends continuing to check in with the bereaved and not assuming that they no longer need support.

 

“You always remember the people who recognized your loss,” Jaymin said.  But if you weren’t able to express your condolences at the time, “it’s never too late to send a card, flowers or to just call and say I’m thinking of you.”

 

Where to find help

Belief.net
Grief.net
Caregiver.org
griefrecoverymethod.com
webhealing.com
journeyofhearts.org

 

For more information, contact Faith Hospice at 616-235-5113.