I stitched the Dove in the Window square for three special people. In loving memory of my father, Alfred T. Henry, who died of cancer on March 10, 1983, for a dear friend's father, Harmon D. Allison, who died April 5, 1997, and for her mother, Gladys S. Allison, who volunteers with the Lake Charles, Louisiana Hospice Organization.

My father would not let us use the services of hospice when he was ill. He didn't want strangers around him so we took care of his needs ourselves. It was a terrible time for our family. My youngest child was just born when my father was diagnosed and took his first steps the day before my father died. My parents had been divorced for years but my mom had my dad move in to her home and then asked my husband and I to move in as well. She continued to work full time as a surgical nurse. My mother and I took almost exclusive care of my father for over a year. It was an exhausting and painful experience and one that I would rather no one have to go through alone as we did. We were so busy taking care of his daily needs that we didn't spend the kind of time with him that we could have had we been able to use the services of a hospice.

My friend Judith had a different experience with her father, Harmon D. Allison, was ill. His family used the services of hospice. It was difficult for her mother having the people from hospice there at the time but now she volunteers for hospice. Her minister got her involved and her loving spirit has shown throughout in the wonderful work she does for her patients. She reads to them, teaches crochet to the women who are able, takes home-cooked dishes to the families, and always finds something joyful about the day. My friend's story is so heartwarming and touching. It demonstrates so well the full circle of emotions that the family of a terminally ill person deals with and how hospice organizations give so much to them.

I stitched my square for these three wonderful people. Two fathers who are missed immensely and for a mother who inspires so many people with her love and kindness to others.

Best regards,
Carol Lynn Heavey
San Bruno, California