From the Editor: Thank You Thelma

I would like to take a moment to share some news about our assistant editor Thelma J. Morris.  After 13 years of volunteering in this capacity, this issue of About Grief will be her final one.  
 
Thelma has reviewed and edited countless articles and always provided kind and valuable feedback to the authors. She has helped us provide information to the bereaved in a way that is deeply meaningful and easy to understand. As an older adult, she is a role model for me – I can only hope to aspire to what she has accomplished. Prior to her retirement, Thelma worked as a librarian. She loves classical music. She is a writer in her own right, contributing to various publications, and she is a world traveler. Reading emails of her adventures filled my imagination with the desire to travel. It is with extreme gratitude that the entire bereavement team honors her generosity of time and expertise all these years. Thank you Thelma.

As with many losses, this one is bittersweet. While I hope to maintain my relationship with Thelma, I know that I have memories and archived newsletters to keep her legacy going strong. 

We hope this summer brings warmth and sunshine to energize and replenish you as you move through your grief.  

Reflections from Thelma Morris

For 13 years I've been happy to serve as volunteer editor for About Grief, written by the bereavement team at the Hospice of the Western Reserve. Each member has come to mean much more to me than their powerful words which I sometimes tried too hard to fix. Each editor's letter, the conversations with kids, each thoughtful commentary and counsel, each book review, has given me insight. One of the most important is this: Grief for a loved one leads us on a journey of learning – learning to say goodbye, to come to terms with loss, to understand, learning to live again. So, while I won't be helping About Grief communicate to its bereaved readers, I will read each issue in the future for the insight it continually offers. 

Learning to come to terms with death is one part of life that we share with each other. And there is something more I've learned: The dedicated professionals and caring volunteers at The Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Bereavement Center reach out to our communities in many, many ways, always there as "friends in need,"– with wisdom, understanding and support for each one of us.