Love soup

A few weeks ago, I received a phone call from the spiritual care coordinator at the Maison Vale Inco Hospice. Her question: would I be willing to facilitate a Christmas service for the residents? I should know better than to question such invitations, for they are always much more of a blessing for the giver than for the recipient.

As the day drew nearer, I also invited two others to join me, so that we could make this day a celebration for the residents. It's difficult to comprehend the realities these people and their families are facing ... at least until we see them, and begin to familiarize ourselves with their situations.

The Hospice is a place where people go to die. This can be a very scary place, and the questions and issues they deal with are very serious ones. Often, this is the place where truths are told, where there is no more room for disception and where it's SO important that people be welcomed with love and compassion.

All but one of the residents was present for today's service, and they all sang with gusto as familiar words and tunes were repeated. This was truly a celebration of Christmas ... albeit a day early (but who'se counting?).

After the prayer service, residents returned to their rooms, and my companions and I were treated to a tour of the facility. From the time you cross the threshhold, it's evident that hospitality and compassion live here. There are intimate corners for conversations and visiting, and there are large spaces for gatherings of all kinds. This is truly a home, complete with a kitchen which never runs short of cookies and food, and places for residents as well as their families to be comfortable, to chat and even to scream if they need to. There is constant nursing supervision and doctors are on call 24-7. Even the soup is referred to as 'love soup'.

It's amazing how the space is so easy to be in. Attention to details such as the colour of paint on the walls, and the presence of candles to memorialize those who have recently completed their earthly journey, and quilts for family members to take home when they leave the building for the last time, and a porch that overlooks Lake Beth-el, and even the makings of an outdoor path for hiking and clearing the mind ... all this is present, but most of all there are people present, from the time you enter the door, who care, who love and who will go the extra mile to make sure that you feel right at home.

What a blessing for those who enter. This indeed is a place where God dwells, and where miracles happen.