December 9, 2015 at 3:52 p.m.
Ministry Saint Mary's Tree of Love ceremony brings peace to families
Ministry Saint Mary's Tree of Love ceremony brings peace to families
By Kayla Thomason-
"It's small compared to other years, but I think it's due to the weather, but a lot of returning people come every year and they really love just enjoying the tree and what has gone on and they kind of come together and meet as a grief group," said Melissa Houg, volunteer community outreach coordinator.
Following a brief welcome/dedication, the tall tree with red ornaments, gold snowflakes and ribbons was lit. The tree was also featured slips of paper, each with a name on it. The hospital staff decorated the tree and hospice staff hung up the names.
The names, Lu Berndt, Jean Lind, Karen Saari, Kenny Thorn, Almeda Ison, Jeri Smith, Richard and Jean Eischman, The Stephens, The Kitzes, The Andrews, Kiran James Bessire, Kristine Rueckert, Cheryl Pasanen, Susan Robinson, Leonard Olkowski, Barbara Heinrich, Henry and Catherine, Bill and Josie, Esther Bergman, Sgt. Ryan Adams, Bruce Russell, The Goldsworthys, The Machtans, The Blooms, Agnese Harris, Jerry Pasanen, Paula Hanson and Kay Pohnl, were then read.
Throughout the ceremony Diane Mueller played a couple of Christmas songs, ending with "Mary Did You Know."
"I think (the Tree of Love ceremony) brings the community together and embraces that we are not invincible and people around us are dying and that there are ways for all of us to come together and remember them," Houg said.
One couple in the audience said they have not missed a single Tree of Love ceremony since their daughter passed away six years ago.
Ann Rueckert's daughter, Kristine "Krissy," passed away from the swine flu. She was a month away from turning 40.
"We had a daughter that died here a week before Christmas and we just will not ever miss this," she said.
"As long as I can stand up and come we will come," she added. "This is in memory of our daughter and it brings us peace. It makes you feel good.
"They work so hard to do this and put it on," she added. "I get a lot out of it, I really do. I think it's beautiful. It's been beautiful every year and the poems are beautiful and they really knock themselves out. We wouldn't miss it."
Rueckert was grateful to the staff for planning the event.
"We just appreciate all the work that they do to put (this on) and every year I think it gets a little better, it's just so peaceful and beautiful to do this," she said.
Newcomers also appreciated the ceremony.
"I think it's a really nice thing, I mean I never knew that this existed," said Bobbie Pohnl, a first-time attendee. "My grandma was in hospice this year and I think this is a very nice thing that they respect the people that have passed and this is their way of doing it and I think it's nice for the families and gives them even more closure."
Pohnl said she may come again next year to support the hospice. "Hospice is great, they're awesome, the people that work for hospice are awesome. It was the best thing," she said.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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