St. Luke's Hospice Bereavement Seminar

Saturday, November 8th brought us a "grey-skies" sort of day -- yet the vivid autumn leaves on the trees and other living landscapes made the day pop with color. One of the special events the day flowed with was a very special program St. Luke's Hospice lovingly put together for the families they've served in the last 6 months: A bereavement seminar.

Individuals who'd lost a loved one in recent months were led through workshops, activities, and therapeutic discussions to assist them in their grieving process. The day was concluded with the interactive white dove release by A Breath of Heaven Doves.

Following our specially-written reading, we invited loved ones, one at a time, to approach the microphone. There, Gail (of St. Luke's Hospice) would hand each person one of our individual release baskets, containing a single, snow white dove. The grieving person would say the name of the loved one they were honoring the memory of, and would then open the lid to release their special bird.

Once the individuals had their opportunity to participate in the release, 4 care-takers from St. Luke's Hospice each opened the lids of 4 white wicker trunks. From those trunks, 80 birds flowed into the sky like a graceful white river. The guests who were there seemed to richly embrace the memories of their loved ones with great love and affection as the birds winged their way into the heavens. They watched, with tears, and pointed to the skies, as the birds continued circling, the flock making certain each of their own was able to join up with them before heading home.

And then, there was a calming peace.