I would like to be king. No, despite the continued joy of political headlines, I don’t mean the king of this nation. I would like to become the King of Sole – the award granted to the Shoe Guy who raises the most money for

Hospice of the Golden Isles as a part of this year’s

Wine, Women, and Shoes event. Yep, I accepted an invitation to be a “Shoe Guy”, although I’m still not entirely sure what I’m in for. I know I am a gopher-fundraiser for Hospice, so that makes whatever comes ok. Being crowned King of Sole will mean that I have successfully raised money (at least more money than my fellow Shoe Guys) for an organization I have great respect for. If you want to help me get my crown, you can donate to Hospice HERE. I’m currently in the lead, but just barely! 

I also recently accepted an invitation to serve on the board of Hospice of the Golden Isles, an invitation I did not have to think about very long before accepting. I have known and worked with non-profit Hospices since before I was ordained (Hospice of the Golden Isles is the only local non-profit Hospice). It was Hospice that cared for my grandmother when she chose quality over quantity of days in her battle with colon cancer 20 years ago. The care they gave our family during her days at home was so good and so meaningful to the family, that my grandfather volunteered for Hospice regularly until he could no longer do so, because of his health. 

In my role as a priest I have worked with parishioners under Hospice care since I was ordained. I have seen the care patients receive at home, and also at in-patient facilities like the one Hospice of the Golden Isles has in Brunswick. The care is wonderful and thoughtful. In most cases, once a family engages with Hospice, they wish they had done it sooner. The pervasive assumption about Hospice is that people should only call on them for help at the very end of life or when they have “given up.” That is very much not the case, and it has led to some families not engaging Hospice soon enough and not benefitting from their support and approach to care. 

Our healthcare system’s default approach to medicine, particularly at the end of life, is to keep the heart beating at all cost – and the costs are often high, both financially and in quality of life. There are times, however, when people decide they don’t want to undergo a particularly nasty treatment. Some realize that their condition is terminal and simply want to enjoy the time they have left and not spend it dealing with the side effects of treatments or the medical procedures that can add a little bit of time. Others have exhausted those efforts and find themselves without options.  These are some of the situations that Hospice is well suited for. Ironically, patients of Hospice programs like our local Hospice of the Golden Isles can live longer because of the type of care they receive. Sometimes managing pain and symptoms provides better outcomes than treating illnesses themselves.

Now, Hospice’s services are not for everyone and for every situation. But, if a family is facing a terminal illness and end of life care questions, I have always recommended that they speak with Hospice to determine if Hospice is a good fit for them. It truly can make the experience of dying much more thoughtful and supportive than standard medical care might normally provide.

End of life is an important time, and it is a difficult subject for many to broach. It can also be controversial, as Archbishop Desmond Tutu has learned from his recent revisit of his thoughts about assisted death (commonly known as assisted suicide).  But, it is also a holy time and a meaningful time for many families. My recommendation is never to ignore it, but to think about it, talk about it with those we love, and do what seems best for us and our loved ones. If you or someone you love faces some of these issues, I commend Hospice of the Golden Isles to you. 

So, we’ll see if I end up becoming a king or not. Even if I don’t, I’m happy to serve as a Shoe Guy and help make a difference. One of the reasons I’m happy to help them raise money is because they don’t turn anyone away, which leaves a shortfall in cases where patients cannot cover all the costs. It is truly a ministry of compassion when families need it most. 

Tom+

O Lord, who dost feel the pain of the world; look with mercy, we beseech thee, upon those who in their sickness and sufferings are beyond the reach of human skill.  To thee alone belongs the power of life, and these souls are thine.  If in the mystery of thy providence it shall be their lot to bear their infirmity to the end, then, Lord, of thy love give them grace to endure bravely, and such an awareness of thy presence with them in it that they may, like their Savior, be made perfect through suffering.  Amen.