Hospice of Marion County Recognizes National Hospice Month

Submitted by Hospice of Marion County

Mark your calendar for these HMC events:

November 12 — 5:30 p.m. Take in a Friday night movie at the historic Marion Theatre in downtown Ocala. “Terms of Endearment” won five Academy Awards in 1983 for its riveting exploration of loss and the difficult process of resolving grief. It’s the saga of a conflicted mother-daughter relationship from coming-of-age, marriage, grandchildren, betrayal, disease and ultimately, death. Hospice of Marion County (HMC) staff will be on hand both before and after the movie with helpful resources and an open discussion.

Visit www.reillyartscenter.com and follow the prompts. Enter your email address to receive tickets at no charge.

November 18 — 9:30 a.m. Join the Master the Possibilities book club discussion on “A Grief Observed” by C.S. Lewis. The famed author probes the “mad midnight moments” of mourning following the death of his wife, who died only four years after their marriage when he was 60 years old. During these mad moments, he questioned everything he’d previously believed about life, death, marriage, and even God.

Lewis describes his experience: “Grief is your love, turned inside-out. That is why it is so deep. That is why it is so consuming. We have all kinds of ridiculous judgments and rules about loss and healing, but the truth is that grief shows us just how deep our love goes.”

The HMC staff looks forward to discussing this probing book on grief and the chance to share the different tools we use in our journey to healing. Join us at On Top of the World’s classroom #3.

November 19 — 6:30 p.m. Vets Helping Vets Gala This is a ticketed event and the highlight of the year celebrating the theme, “America’s Greatness,” held at the Hilton Ocala. The Vets Helping Vets group is the realization of Hank Whittier for a one-stop Veterans Resource Center located across from the Marion County Veterans Park. Since 2002, the national organization has helped veterans with financial assistance and counseling, making it possible for them to maintain independence and dignity. The gala is a formal affair including an evening of dining, live entertainment and raffles to benefit the organization. Tickets are $70 per person and on sale online at https://7thannualmagicalamericasgreatness.eventbrite.com. For sponsorships or information, call Jinky Diaz at (352) 286-9491. As a proud Level 5 member of the National We Honor Veterans program, HMC is one of several sponsors of this year’s gala.

Hospice of Marion County offers grief support throughout the year at its Monarch Center for Hope & Healing. Throughout the coronavirus social distancing of the past 19 months, the Monarch Center staff has developed creative ways to guide the bereaved, both adults and children, through Zoom support groups and counseling by phone. They are open to the community at no charge, Monday-Friday, (352) 873-7456.