You don’t get to my age without losing a few people. I lost my parents and friends through sickness and accidents. I have been involved with rescues. I thought I had a pretty good understanding of what death was. But when I lost my wife, I was overwhelmed with grief. I realized that we don’t […]

As pandemic restrictions began to lift, Hospice House could finally be used as it was intended. Whole families could gather together in their loved ones’ rooms, the family area, kitchen, sacred space and children’s play area. As Jodi Strom, Hospice House Volunteer Coordinator, says, “It feels like Hospice House is coming alive.” A few highlights: […]

Entering Rocke’s Wightman’s room in Cowichan Hospice House, you couldn’t miss his comfort items: a few bags of potato chips and a stack of history books. “I really, really like history,” Rocke would say. “I think that’s our instinct, to pass on our knowledge. You get to a certain age, you want to tell your […]

When a person dies at Cowichan Hospice House, their body is then taken away to accommodate that individual’s after-death wishes. At this particular exit door from Hospice House, there is a painting of a dragonfly. There’s a famous tale about a dragonfly which is used as a gentle way to explain death, particularly to children. […]

Originally published in the Cowichan Valley Citizen on September 11 2023. Written by Chadd Cawson.   Reel Alternatives continues to make a real difference in the community. When it comes to lights, camera, and action, Reel Alternatives has been taking the latter to raise money for Cowichan Hospice since the program’s inception in 2004. The […]