The Rewards of Volunteering

I was nervous to start volunteering with hospice. It is a large honor to have an opportunity to step into anothers life as they approach the last phases of it. I didn't know if I would be good at connecting with the patients or creative enough with the activities I could do with them. What I have learned over the past year is to simply be present with them and let them guide our time together. The little things make the biggest differences. I once had a patient who was very nauseous. They did not speak much because of how uncomfortable they were, but as I rubbed their back, they kept saying "oh thank you, that feels so good." Again, it's the little things. There is nothing like the feeling of being able to provide some relief to another who is in pain (mentally, spiritually, or physically) with the abilities that we are blessed have.