Hospice Austin’s Blog
Hearts and Ashes
It’s six o’clock on Monday morning Feb. 11th and I’m just shuffling off to the shower when I hear my phone receive a text message. It is from a teacher at my son’s former elementary school. Apparently, one of her fourth graders hadn’t come to school on Friday so she...
Valentine Bear Hugs
Every February when people all over the country are preparing to celebrate Valentine’s Day by buying candy or flowers, giving gifts or taking a loved one to dinner - all in the name of St. Valentine - my thoughts turn to leading an outreach drive to collect teddy...
Transformations
There is a beautiful milkweed bush in the garden outside of room 4 at Hospice Austin’s Christopher House. It’s in full bloom right now, full of red and yellow flowers. Recently, Joyce,* the loved one of Hospice Austin patient Bob* in Room 4, was sitting on the patio...
Finding Steve
Just so you won’t worry, this story has a happy ending. It starts off sad, because Curtis, a 50-year-old Hospice Austin patient, had lost his cat, Steve, and normally lost cat stories don’t end well. You may remember Curtis from a previous Season of Caring Campaign...
Quincy
Hospice Austin has lost a very good friend. Quincy, the beloved therapy dog who visited Hospice Austin's Christopher House every Friday, passed away after an illness. A memorial service to celebrate his life and his service to our patients, family and staff, was held...
Hospitality Austin
The living journey with Hospice Austin…I visited my mom Debbie today, who is in her fourth month of hospice care; she is 77 years old. I picked up lunch for both of us to have a mini picnic outside her nursing facility before it gets too hot. I arrived a bit early and...
Brave Kids, Brave Hearts
I would love to tell you about how Camp Brave Heart has helped me. My dad passed away in a car accident that I was in when I was 6. I did no counseling, therapy, etc. until I was 11 and it started to show. I went to Camp Brave Heart honestly thinking it wouldn't help....
Celebrating Leslie
Sunday was the first annual Leslie Fest – a party celebrating the life and 61st birthday of Leslie Cochran, Austin’s beloved cross-dressing, homeless mayoral candidate. Leslie died on March 8 at Hospice Austin’s Christopher House. Though certainly the most famous,...
Rebuilding lives, thanks to you
Patients and their loved ones often comment that Hospice Austin becomes part of their family. We feel the same way about the families we care for. That’s why it was an honor for us to nominate Bill Snyder and his family for the Austin American-Statesman’s Season for...
Giving Hands and Heart to Our Mission
There is an old African proverb that says when you pray, move your feet meaning when there is something you hope for, something you believe in, don’t just stand there– make it happen. Your generosity gives feet and hands and heart to the mission of Hospice...
