COVERAGE: Grief in a new light

I'm a bereavement counselor with Hospice of North Idaho and just wanted to take a moment to express my thanks for your newspaper's coverage of our tree lighting event. I was pleasantly surprised to pick up my newspaper and see the article right on the front page. I have recently moved to the area from Tallahassee, Fla., where I worked for five years as a bereavement counselor for Big Bend Hospice. I cannot recall a time in those five years when my hospice in Florida was featured on the front page!

Giving a voice to grief is so important this time of year, as our focus as a culture is usually on celebration of the holidays. The reality is that many people are hurting but oftentimes afraid to express it. Thank you again for normalizing the grief experience for those missing their loved ones these days.

BECCA HARTZER

Hospice of North Idaho

Bereavement Counselor