A Message from
David Selberg
Dear Friends, 
 
We recently celebrated our four Light Up A Life ceremonies, with a little rain and a lot of love and very welcome togetherness. After the past few years, it felt like a true homecoming. As we have done for 39 years, we created a sacred space where friends and families could share in their mutual loss and honor those they were missing/grieving. Many told me that this year had an added layer of emotional significance and depth and I certainly felt that too. The poetry, music, and spiritual components were particularly poignant this year.
 
For those of us navigating the holiday season while missing cherished loved ones, this time of year can be particularly painful. Light Up A Life aims to lighten this burden by acknowledging and sharing our sorrow and memories in a safe and nurturing space. Memories are what keep us connected to our loved ones, but we should keep in mind that memories can bring feelings of both happiness and sadness. Allow yourself to feel your feelings, whatever they may be, and find traditions that support your needs during difficult times.
 
As we look toward the New Year, we want to recognize the significance of our supporters and volunteers who are literally responsible for bringing our no-cost services to everyone in our communities who need them. From the emotional care for our "Littles and Middles" to seniors in their 80's and 90's and everyone in-between, we are proud and honored to help those navigating the challenges that loss and grief can bring. Your support makes that happen. Attending to patients and their families during their most difficult days through our Patient Care Services is only possible with you in the equation. We, and those we serve, will forever be grateful and humbled by your support.
 
On behalf of everyone at Hospice of Santa Barbara, I wish you a meaningful and peaceful holiday season.
 
Be well,
David Selberg
Light Up A Life
Click on the image for more photos and videos from this year’s Light Up A Life ceremonies



The Book of Uncommon Prayer
by Katherine Mosby, 1996
Deliver me to myself
that I may stop
fretting the hours in vain,
looking for what's lacking
always elsewhere and otherwise.
Let befall me the peace
which drops like wind,
suddenly, between even the slightest
folds of a linnet's wing,
between shadow and sky, the hush
like the intervals of quiet
between questions, between the calls
of crickets, the sorrows
of one season and the next,
swift and sure and sharp
as grace.
Volunteer Spotlight
Ann Smithcors
This month we highlight Ann Smithcors for our volunteer spotlight! This is Ann’s 40-year anniversary as a volunteer with HSB! More impressive than the quantity of time she has served, is the quality of compassionate care she has provided over the years.

Ann has shared that she feels it is a privilege to be a volunteer and to give back in this way, and that she gets more from her volunteer work with patients/families than they get from her. Some of you may have heard her say this as well. She has expressed that she is grateful to the many patients and families, who by their gifts, have enriched her life.
Seniors Aged 60 and Over
The Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens, Area Agency on Aging is conducting an assessment of the needs of senior citizens in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties.

It is important we assess the needs of senior citizens to ensure that, with our limited resources, we can, as best possible, address the priority needs identified by senior citizens in our communities.

Our goal is to reach and receive the ANONYMOUS survey from as many people 60 years of age and older as possible. Receiving surveys from people with different economic, social, physical, and emotional needs provides a balanced result.

Completing the survey online at: https://centralcoastseniors.org/needsurvey2022/ is the easiest way to provide us with the information. It will take approximately 5 minutes complete the survey online.
Thank you for all that you do to support our work!
 
It is a remarkable privilege to witness the difference we make for those we serve on a daily basis. It is only through your generosity that we can accomplish all that we do and will in the future.
Phone: (805) 563-8820
Fax: (805) 563-8821
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