Remembrance Tree – To Absent Friends

To remember those who have died over the past months the Spiritual Care and Wellbeing Team have placed a remembrance tree in the hospital sanctuary – below is the message Tosh Lynch, Senior Healthcare Chaplain, has put out to staff. 

To absent friends, colleagues and patients

Dear Colleagues

I have had the privilege to meet and listen to many of you this year. It strikes me that in healthcare  we encounter pain,  suffering and death in the work that we do.  These realities are our reminders of human existence and the many challenges we face.  This is even more true now of the coronavirus with its impact on our resilience.  The loving kindness that we have shown to each other at this time fills each of us with hope even if it may not feel like that at the time.

Navigating around restrictions has been a huge challenge.  We took for granted the gentle touch of a patient, seeing relatives face to face, dealing with palliative and end of life care, supporting families around loss and grief. This is no longer possible for many of us.  Many of you have commented on how difficult this is. 

This year we want to take the opportunity with you to remember those who have died during these last few months:  a patient, friend, loved one.  One way of doing this is through ritual.  For example, during the month of November tradition reminds us to remember those who have died.  Everyone has a story to tell. Scottish culture doesn’t often support active remembrance of those who have died.  However, death is personal and people experience loss differently. 

You may know that ‘To Absent Friends’ was set up in 2014 which is a festival of storytelling and remembrance (www.toabsentfriends.org.uk). This is going to frame our remembering.

We will have a tree in the Sanctuary and invite you to add a name to that tree. (Small cards will be by the tree ready to be filled in).  We understand that it may be difficult to drop in to the Sanctuary so if you would like a name added just email me:  tosh.lynch@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk and we will do that for you.

During the first week of November we will record a short service of remembrance with the gathered names.

Tosh

Spiritual Care and Wellbeing Team