Money well spent

Yesterday we went along to our local hospice. Our cruising friend is now there. In theory it is for a short stay while they sort out his medication. Certainly he looked remarkably well considering. He’s even beginning to eat again. 

He’s been in the hospice for a couple of weeks now but with all our hospitalling, it’s been difficult to find the time to visit. We seem to be either at the hospital or rushing round trying to get all the chores done that we haven’t had time to do because we’ve been at the hospital. At last we had a free afternoon so we went off to see him.

It’s the first time we’ve visited anyone at the hospice. We’ve had lunch at the café before but that’s it. We were very impressed.

He was in a separate room to himself. One wall was just glass, letting in plenty of light & overlooking the garden. Snowdrops & daffodils were in abundance. The room had sliding glass doors out into the garden for when the warmer weather comes & the patient might appreciate being able to sit out on the little terrace.

The first thing that struck us as we entered the room was the male pheasant strutting across the window. We were told of all the wildlife our friend could watch from his room – jays, woodpigeons, rabbits, deer, tits, robins, wrens, squirrels etc. They put out feeders near the wards to encourage the wildlife to come nearer so patients could watch them.

Our friend seems very happy there. We both came out feeling that if ever you had need of such a place, this was great. It is so peaceful, none of the hustle of a busy hospital. We have long made donations to its upkeep. Now, seeing it in action, we feel tempted to increase our annual donation. It really is money well spent.