CLARKSBURG W.Va. — The People’s Hospice “Butterfly Release” is a chance for family members to achieve closure after the loss of a loved one.
Sitting in the People’s Hospice Memorial Garden, family members and nurses released butterflies to symbolize the freedom for their deceased loved ones and patients.
Lea Hauser, Manager of People’s Hospice, said it’s not only the family members who need closure after a death.
“Emotionally and mentally, it’s a very hard job,” she said. “You get very close to the families. You actually feel like you are part of their lives.”
People’s Hospice takes care of anywhere from 55-75 people any given day in Clarksburg. Generally, they take care of people who have six months or less to live.
The event gives the nurses and families a chance to see each other in a different light.
“Seeing them outside of the home and through those hard times, I think is closure for everybody,” said Hauser. “You feel like you’re at peace after you’re done with it.
Tom Iram’s wife Karen-Sue passed away last year after an 11-year fight with Alzheimer’s. He praised People’s Hospice for it’s level of support.
“It was nice,” he said. “They came in to talk to me and ask if I needed any help. I could call them anytime I wanted to. I didn’t have to call them, but they were there for me.”
It gives a chance for people with similar stories to come together.
“When I’m going through something, I think about what other people are going through,” said Iram. “And it helps me a lot because I’m not the only one going through it.”
Thursday marked the event’s fourth consecutive year and featured musical performances by the Show Stoppin’ Toppers from Washington Irving Middle School.
People’s Hospice is part of the United Hospital Center. They’ve been open for 18 years and serve nine counties.
In total, more than 270 butterflies were released.