Giving the gift of goodbye

Olivia's House is a grief and loss center in York, PA designed to help children cope with the loss of a loved one. Olivia's House founder and bereavement specialist, Leslie Delp, says that when a child's family member is facing a terminal diagnosis, there can be some anticipatory grief. But, one way to prepare and cope when the end is near, is to give what she calls "the gift of goodbye."
Giving the gift of goodbye is an opportunity for family members to tell each other all of the things they want each other to know. And for parents, maybe this means telling your child all of the pieces of wisdom you'd give them throughout their life milestones. Leslie suggests recording a video message with pieces of wisdom for certain situations.
he also talks about creating a quilt with the cancer patient, that is made up of clothing that was special to them. It's a way for the family member to connect to their loved one after they pass away.

It's about sharing the history and the stories, and she says that if we can help the person who is dying do this, it gives them a way to stay connected and it's empowering.

For more resources, please visit http://facingcancertogether.witf.org

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Nonprofits & Activism

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• leslie delp
• gift of goodbye
• bereavement
• grief
• death
• end of life children
• coping
• terminal
• cancer
• loss
• cancer support
• cancer community
• facing cancer together