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A Message from
David Selberg

Dear friends,


Thanksgiving is the official start of the holiday season and a time to take stock and reflect on what we are thankful for in our lives. Some years this is easier than others, of course. Political and social disappointments, concerns over wars and climate change, family drama, etc. can make us feel hopeless. Add to that the grief that comes along with the loss of a loved one and we may actually feel closer to despair and hopelessness than anything else.  


Gratitude is a powerful force, even when it is difficult to conjure up. "Beyond a seasonal tradition (Thanksgiving), gratitude can offer profound benefits for our well-being," said Dr. Robert Emmons, a renowned researcher in the science of gratitude. “Gratitude is literally one of the few things that can measurably change people’s lives.” According to Emmons, Being grateful is not merely an emotion but a dynamic force for positive change. It brings joy, love, and optimism while protecting against destructive impulses, such as envy and resentment. Its impact on our mental and emotional health is profound, making it an invaluable tool in our journey toward overall well-being.


I believe that, even in our most difficult hour, finding people and things to be grateful for can be a powerful tool in our "grief support" tool kit. If we can't seem to access it this year, that's completely ok; there is no expiration date on being thankful.


I hope that Thanksgiving was as meaningful as possible for you and your family and friends. And in the spirit of both healing and the holidays, we hope to see you at one or more of our Light Up A Life events this year. See below for more specific details, dates and times.


I am grateful for you all!


Be well,

David Selberg

Please join us for our 41st Annual

Light Up A Life Ceremonies

We invite you to join us at our free Light Up A Life ceremonies. Come together with community members for our 41st annual tradition of celebration, reflection, special speakers, musical entertainment, and the lighting of our Tree of Remembrance. We are excited to have special performances by Lois Mahalia (Montecito & Santa Barbara), John Vale (Goleta & Carpinteria), as well as Cold Springs School Chorus (Montecito), and Dos Pueblos Jazz Choir (Goleta, Carpinteria, and Santa Barbara).


Each ceremony will feature tasty refreshments and snacks, including Aunt Janet's delicious homemade cookies (Goleta & Santa Barbara).

Invite your friends and family to join us at one or more of our Light Up A Life ceremonies, and hang a star in memory of a loved one who has died or in honor of someone living. You can also dedicate a digital star on our Virtual Tree of Remembrance. Donations for both paper and digital stars can be made at www.hospiceofsb.org/lual.

Click Here to Learn More

Volunteer Spotlight:

MaryJo Spencer

MaryJo was born in Baltimore, but grew up in LA.  Her mother and father both had careers in the medical industry; her father taught cardiology at UCLA.

 

MaryJo worked for 25 years in human resources for county governments. For many years she was the chief recruiter for Ventura County Fire Department. MaryJo has a son who was a paramedic and later earned his nursing degree.

 

Her mother had always modeled giving back to your community and so when MaryJo retired, she decided she also needed to have some meaning in her life and wanted to give back to the community in which she lived: Carpinteria. She joined the Spring 2018 Patient Care Training which took place in Carpinteria. One of the things she has learned along the way in her volunteer role is to be kind to people in their tough times. MaryJo also completed the NODA training as well as Advance Care Training and has helped and attended several ACP events. She is a facilitator (together with fellow Carp volunteer Shirley Strickler) at the newly established Compassion Club, which is a place for people to gather for mutual support and listening.

 

In her spare time, MaryJo enjoys spending time with friends and family, doing yoga, and taking brisk walks in the close-knit community of Carpinteria.




 Uncertain Times

by Sara LeWell

In this time of uncertainty 

of fear and angst 

of words used as weapons 

of sorrow and loss… 

we hold our collective breath. 

May we remember we are resilient. 

We have faced uncertainty before 

weathered storms, 

been consumed by grief 

and risen like a phoenix from the ashes. 

We will again.


May we remember our shared humanity. 

Let us unclench our jaws and breathe together. 

Breathing in love, 

Breathing out peace. 

May we recognize the light within each of us 

and recall the wisdom of our ancestors. 

In this time of uncertainty 

we rest in knowing the good will go on. 

May love prevail. 

Advance Care Planning 

Get It Done SB! and Mi Regalo are HSB’s Advance Care Planning (ACP) programs, focused on bringing awareness and education in English and Spanish to ensure that all of our community members have a completed Advance Directive before they need one. 


Thank you to everyone who attended our Spanish ACP workshop in collaboration with Eastside Library this month! This workshop culminates our workshop series for the year and the team is actively working to bring you a full calendar of events for 2025. In the meantime, please contact us for free, personalized appointments with our trained volunteers, as they are always available to help you ‘Get It Done!’.

Many thanks to our media partners who helped conduct outreach in Spanish, these included Radio Bronco, Univision, and El Latino.


For more information on Advance Care Planning, upcoming workshops or to request one-on-one help from our experienced volunteers, visit Get It Done SB! or Mi Regalo. You can also call us at 805-563-8820 or email us at CommunityACP@hospiceofsb.org.

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.
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Phone: (805) 563-8820
Fax: (805) 563-8821
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