November 20, 2009

At The End Of Life's Journey

A hospice family's experience at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House

"To help other people at all times" is one of the lines in the Boy Scout Oath. We would like to thank the staff of the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House for helping my father, Gaylord Bridge, a proud Eagle Scout.

When he died at 96 years old at the hospice house, Dad may have been one of the oldest living Eagle Scouts in the country. He had been recognized by the Commander on Arsenal Island and by the Chief Executive of the Boy Scouts of America.

The Chief Scout Executive wasn't certain Dad was the oldest Eagle Scout in the country, but he said, "You're the oldest I've ever met."

Dad still had the eagle claw that was awarded to him in 1931, and he had the certificates he earned for his 42 Boy Scout merit badges. I found out later that Doug Cropper, the Genesis CEO, is also an Eagle Scout. The level of care received by my father was reflective of Mr. Cropper's leadership and his respect of the message of the Boy Scout Oath.

Dad didn't really think going from the hospital to the hospice house was a good idea when it was made, but his health was declining. He quickly changed his mind when he saw the house and met the people caring for him. It was the right place for him.

He was only at the hospice house for a couple days, but in those few days we were very impressed by the facility and the care.

I walked in and was amazed by the building's structure and beauty. I had never been in a hospice house before, but it was beyond my expectations. My only wish was that we could have gotten Dad out in the sun on the patio but we weren't able to do that.

The staff took good care of all of us.

My brothers, sisters, in-laws, and many of his grandchildren were able to spend those final couple of days with my father and enjoy the memories of his life.

My father had several passions in his life. He was a big fan of the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Cubs and the Iowa Hawkeyes ...I never did understand that last one. He cherished his time to garden and plant vegetables.

He was very dedicated to his family, and he was dedicated to his work for International Harvester for over 35 years and passed that onto his sons so that our family has 80 continuous years of service to IH-Farmall and Navistar, and more than 120 years of family service.

We would like to take this opportunity to again thank the staff at Genesis and at the hospice house.