About Karen ...
Karen Lives in Abbotsford, British Columbia. She is a graduate of Royal Columbian Hospital School
of Nursing, University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University (Nursing Diploma (RN), BSN, PBD Education, M.Ed., PBD
Gerontology). During her thirty-five year career in Nursing she worked in a variety of roles, clinical, educational and
administrative. For over twenty years she has been involved with hospice/palliative care and was the Executive Director of
Abbotsford Hospice from 1994 to 1996. During that time, she was involved with volunteer coordination and the development and
delivery of bereavement services.
Karen also served on the Board of BCHPCA and participated in the BCHPCA publication of 1997,
The Caring Community: A fieldbook for hospice palliative care volunteer services. As an
educator, she developed many learning resources including co-authoring with colleague, Maureen Wilde for the Ministry of
Education The Hospice/Palliative Care Curriculum for Health Care Professionals (1998). In 1997 she developed
a curriculum for Clinical Ethics for Healthcare Workers used in the Long Term Care community (1997). While still practicing
as a nurse until spring 2000, she was involved in the Regional Palliative Care Quality Improvement Committee and participated
in the development of the regional Pain and Symptom Management Guidelines.
A Word From the Author
Seasons of Grief conveys a message of hope, hope that no matter how old we are, it is never too late for us to
face our losses and grieve them. The story follows Anita whose husband Brad dies of cancer. It deals with her grief before
and after his death, from an initial point of hurt and anger to a place of acceptance. Anyone who has ever grieved will
relate to Anita's story.
Excerpt 1
This place evokes such painful memories. The cold hard steel. The hush puppy patter of rubber soles on lino. People voices
echoing in pastel tones. Not quite loud enough to hear the words -only sounds playing in the background like a radio. I hate
hospitals. I smell danger all around me. It snaps at my heels and worries at my knuckles. This isn't like the movies. No
fluttering candles. No urgent handholding. Only life ebbing away. My husband of thirty-five years is in the bed before me,
transfigured form the once burly guy I married. He is a man I do not know. How do other people do it? Is there such a thing
as a "good death"?
Excerpt 2
... So many things in my life have changed. And with every new revelation I feel a surge of energy. I was in the doldrums
for so long that I had forgotten how to feel. I had stopped embracing life. I blamed others for my pain. And now as I stand here
I know that a life filled with possibilities is mine for the taking. It is up to me to reach out and claim it for my own. I
forgive you Brad, Norah and Mum for all the slights I felt, real or imagined. And in turn I ask that you forgive me for my failures.
In our own ways we are all struggling. Struggling to be worthy of the challenges that face us. I am no longer that plain insecure
little girl waiting to be picked. That door has shut. And as I stand on the threshold of the rest of my life my heart is full
of hope. The angels are with me.
Excerpt 3
... Tonight is our December potluck. The group has been getting together once a month for a meal. This is Roger's turn to
host. He's cooking a turkey with all the trimmings. I am sure Mary will be giving him a hand. As it has turned out they are an
item. I gather their kids aren't too impressed. I think it is hard for any child to imagine their parent in a romantic liaison.
Particularly when they are senior citizens. Instead of a gift exchange we agreed to put together a food hamper for the
Salvation Army. Fiona's into social responsibility so she is looking after the project. I jokingly refer to us as the walking
wounded. And who knows, maybe we will all take wings and fly. In the meantime, I look forward to Christmas with anticipation.
And after that a new year of possibilities.
You can also buy ...
The Hirnschall "Hospice" Print
Print alone: $50 CDN, plus postage.
Please contact us for framing options at additional cost.
Artist Helmut Hirnschall enjoyed international acclaim as an artist/writer/illustrator with a keen interest in mythology.
A resident of Mission B.C. for 17 years, Helmut was spiritually connected with the land, and his art exhibited this strong
influence. He also developed a deep respect for Native culture. He wrote and illustrated the Song of Creation as well as
Eyes on the Wilderness. He collaborated with prominent First Nations' icons, including Chief Dan George in
My Heart Soars and with Crystal Dory in Mi'kmaw Creation Stories... [Read more]
Memory Bears by Barb
Each Memory Bear is lovingly created by hand using a carefully selected item of your loved one's clothing most
cherished by the recipient of the bear. A favourite scarf, pin, necklace or necktie can easily add that special
touch — making your Memory Bear as unique as your Loved One.
Prints by Carl Beam
We have a small number of framed prints in our collection.
Beam graduated with a B.F.A. from the University of Victoria in 1974, and continued his studies in an M.F.A. programme
at the University of Alberta, where he forged a sophisticated practice and an international career in the vanguard of
Post-modernism with multimedia paintings, prints, and constructions. His work is generally characterized by the
juxtaposition of autobiographical, commercial, photographic, and art historical references, evoking the dissonances
between Euroamerican and Native cultures... [Read more]
Talking about Death
