On one of the darkest nights of the year, Care Partners of Cook County made things a little brighter with its “Light up a Life” event at the North Shore Hospital. This year the tree of memories is inside, in the warm atrium between Sawtooth Mountain Clinic and the hospital. A book listing the names of those remembered stands in the lobby as well.
At a little bit before 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 29, community members began to gather in the atrium of the North Shore Hospital for the Care Partners of Cook County “Light up a Life” event. People chatted quietly and thumbed through a memorial book.
Sherry Lindskog played some lovely holiday music and Nora Bockovich sang a Christmas carol before Care Partner Director Kay Grindland welcomed everyone to the event. This year, Grindland said, Care Partners decided to bring the tree of lights inside where everyone could see it lit. “It’s not a Rockefeller Center tree,” said Grindland, but she said it is the meaning of the tree and its lights that matter.
May we know that those
who have gone before
are in a place where sorrow
and pain are no more.
Keep watch, O God,
with those who work
or watch or weep this night.
Tend the sick,
give rest to the weary,
bless the dying,
soothe the suffering,
pity the afflicted,
shield the joyous,
all for your love’s sake.
And for us— May we be
Courageous, living with integrity.
The kind of people
who will be missed.
Able to help others be the kind
of people they’re meant to be.
Be the best big sister/brother.
Beloved.
Full of gratitude… looking
forward to each new day.
Amen
Above left: Care Partners Clinical Care Coordinator Jeanette Lindgren and Director Kay Grindland served as hosts for the event, making everyone feel welcome and cared for. Above: Rev. Mary Ellen Ashcroft offered a meaningful prayer and a touching benediction. Left: After the tree was lit at the November 29, everyone joined in singing Amazing Grace and Silent Night.
Benediction given by Reverend
Mary Ellen Ashcroft
Grindland explained that the lights on the tree are in memory of loved ones, but it is also hoped that the lights will brighten the holiday season. Each memory light also brings $5 to Care Partners, which is a collaborative effort of the North Shore Health Care Foundation, the Cook County North Shore Hospital, Sawtooth Mountain Clinic and other health and community service providers. The mission of Care Partners is to enhance end-of-life and palliative care and expand services to the frail elderly in Cook County through a community-based approach.
Reverend Mary Ellen Ashcroft offered a prayer for those who were missing their loved ones and Maureen Bazzett shared a lovely reading. The tree was lit then and Lindskog and Bockovich performed Amazing Grace.
Reverend Ashcroft asked if anyone wanted to say a few words about the loved one they were remembering on this occasion and several people spoke. There were tears, but there was laughter too, as fond memories shone through the pain.
The evening ended with Lindskog and Bockovich singing Silent Night, inviting everyone to join in. As the music faded, Reverend Ashcroft gave a beautiful benediction (left).
Grindland thanked everyone again for coming and encouraged everyone to stay and visit and enjoy the delicious refreshments. And, her colleague, Jeannette Lindgren, RN, the Care Partners clinical care coordinator, could not resist caring for those in the crowd.
Lindgren stepped forward and asked everyone to pause, to take a deep, cleansing breath. As those in attendance did so, they also broke into smiles and laughter as Lindgren said, “I just can’t help myself!”
If you would like to spend some time in the atrium near the special tree of remembrance,
the atrium is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.If you would like to donate to Care Partners in memory of someone, you can still do so by
contacting Kay Grindland at (218) 387-3788 or at carepartners@boreal.org.Donation forms are also available at Sawtooth Mountain Clinic and on-line at
www.northshorehealthcarefoundation.org.
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