Port Ludlow

Port Ludlow Voice Page 2
Feature Articles
From the Editor’s Keyboard
by Beverly Browne, Editor
December is a giving time and that is one of the things
we do well in Port Ludlow. Most of our activities are run
by volunteers who give their time, talents and sometimes
money for the benefit of others. Our organizations constantly
develop projects to aid others in the community
and outside of it. Recent examples include the Silent
Auction/Media Sale run by the Community Enrichment
Alliance (CEA), a benefit for victims of domestic violence.
Another is the refurbishing of the Olympic Community
Action Programs (OlyCAP) emergency shelters
for needy recipients by the Port Ludlow Yacht Club
(PLYC) women’s group and individual contributions to
Habitat for Humanity. The Bluebills charitable projects
are legendary.
Opportunities to help others through gifts are numerous.
For many years giving trees have been installed at both
the Bay Club and Beach Club and at Niblick’s at the Golf
Course. Tags indicating a needy child or adult’s desired
present are hung from the tree. Individuals choose one of
the tags, buy and wrap the present, and return it to the tree
where it is picked up and delivered to the recipient.
The gifts we give to our friends and relatives also can
benefit others depending on how they are selected.
Some retailers offer charitable tie-ins that promise a
matching monetary gift with the purchase of an item.
The supermarkets frequently offer bags of grocery items
that can be purchased for distribution to area food banks,
allowing needy families to have a holiday dinner. The
Humane Society usually has pet food donation sites
located in the market. Large animal owners also may need
help with feed. Information about those donations can
be obtained from the Humane Society and Center Valley
Animal Rescue (CVAR).
We all get presents during the holidays that we do not
need and perhaps don’t want. The pile of loot under the
tree Christmas morning can make one feel rather guilty.
One solution is to take the item back but a better one is to
make a deal with your family. Instead of giving multiple
gifts to each other, agree to donate to a food bank or
other charity. You will feel good and your gift will be
appreciated.
The views expressed in this column are this Editor’s alone and should
not be construed to necessarily represent the views of every volunteer
member of the Voice staff.
Grief and Loss During the Holidays
by Bev Rothenborg, Contributing Writer
For many people the holiday season is a special time
marked by festive celebrations with family and friends.
It’s a time to look ahead with excitement toward a New
Year. But, for those coping with the death of a loved one,
the holidays may be a difficult time filled with painful
reminders. Then the holidays become an ordeal to be
endured.
Bereavement specialists like Karrie Cannon of Jefferson
Healthcare Hospital (JHH) advise grieving persons to
anticipate holiday stress and to seek support to avoid what
otherwise might be an emotional rollercoaster. Learning
new coping and self-care skills may help too. Here are
some tips to deal with the holidays proactively:
••
Plan ahead by thinking about the challenges you will
encounter. Emotional pain is normal and can help with
coping. Talk with family and friends about your plans.
Find the right balance between their needs and your
own.
••
Expect a variety of physical and emotional responses
to your loss. Don’t be blindsided by unanticipated
decisions such as what to do about invitations
and traditions. Discarding old routines and trying
something new is one possibility.
••
Give yourself permission to be alone, to cry, to laugh
and have fun, to enjoy activities and to relax. Laughter
and tears are normal, healthy reactions and are not
disrespectful to the deceased.
••
Be careful not to isolate yourself. Confide in someone
who will listen without providing answers or rendering
judgment.
••
Accept your limitations. No matter what you do, you
will not feel as joyous as you did in the past. Choose to
participate in a few activities and decline those that will
not be comfortable.
••
Take care of yourself by following a good diet and
getting adequate exercise and sleep.
••
Attend one of the free bereavement support group
meetings offered by JHH and facilitated by Karrie
Cannon, MSW. In Port Ludlow the next meeting will
be at the Community Church on Thursday, December
10, from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. You may call or e-mail
Karrie for next year’s dates at 385-2200, ext. 4645, or
e-mail kcannon@jeffersonhealthcare.org.