The autumn winds are softly blowing in western North Carolina as fall is truly upon us. This season shows us how today’s colorful leaves of yellow, gold, and red are even more beautiful than yesterday’s and we cannot even imagine what tomorrow will look like. We know that each day is a gift, and we try to live each day to its fullest — but sometimes life gets in the way of life. That is what happened to my family some years ago when my husband was diagnosed with a back tumor. After treatment options became limited, we were referred to the Four Seasons Palliative Care program and eventually to hospice care.  

My goal was to remain strong for my husband and to hold on to hope. What we hoped for from one month, one week, to the next, kept changing and shifting. We hoped for something, even if we had to change our idea of what that hope looked like. 

From the beginning of our journey with Four Seasons, our goals were top priority. One of the first questions the palliative care team asked was what we still wanted to accomplish. We had a family trip to Bermuda planned for Christmas and our wish was to ensure Pierre could go on that trip. The team made the necessary arrangements to ensure Pierre was comfortable and had the medications he needed.  For Pierre, for all of us, it was such a beautiful and meaningful Christmas. Through Pierre’s journey at Four Seasons, the team proved to be a valuable layer of extra support at a crucial time. They allowed us room to embrace our emotions, relief, joy, and sadness all at the same time. Providing the space we needed for our hope to shift was also essential. They ultimately provided a better quality of life for Pierre.    

It’s been several years since my beloved Pierre passed away. I look back with gratitude for all the good years we had together and the role that Four Seasons played in making his passing comfortable and dignified. I am so grateful for Four Seasons care and how they were with us on my husband’s final journey.  

No one knows when that time will come for all of us, and during that time, no one should have to worry about the cost. As a non-profit, Four Seasons’ commitment puts patients above profit which translates to more time, devotion and experts dedicated to every person who needs our services. This is possible because of donors like you. Thank you for your past support of Four Seasons Foundation; your gift made a difference in my life and in so many others, and it is truly a gift of compassion. I ask that you please remember Four Seasons Foundation again this year.