The Bird House - Hospice Home of Johnson County

So very true!

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Thinking about doing something for The Bird House? Here's an easy way to make a difference. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1XLDK0L853OFJ/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_2

Very true!

Beautiful!

When you mention him, you aren’t reminding me of him. He’s already intertwined with my every thought.

Two rooms available at The Bird House for care currently!
Give us a call 319-499-1882

Grief doesn't just show up the day they die

Grief shows up on a random Monday night

Grief shows up in aisle five at the grocery store

Grief shows up when they're favorite song comes on the radio

Grief shows up at the dining room table

Grief shows up at your graduation and wedding

Grief shows up in the delivery room when they aren't by your side or in the pictures

Grief shows up on those sleepless nights

Grief shows up when the phone rings and it isn't them

Grief shows up when you go to dial their number and realize they'll never answer again

Grief shows up time and time again always unexpected and never invited

Grief doesn't just show up the day they die

We have good used medical equipment and new adult sized incontinence underwear to share at The Bird House. Give us a call 319-499-1882

We send love and thanks to our Bird House family all over the country! Hospice families, volunteers, caregivers, staff, Board Members, donors, sponsors, Friends of the Bird House!
We feel the LOVE!

We have alot of Cardinals, 11 turkeys, and at least 10 deer outside feasting on cracked corn at The Bird House!

We will celebrate six years of service in April.
We are honored to have served so many in these six years.

Two hospice guest rooms again available at the Bird House! Give us a call if you are interested! 319-499-1882
Snow!!!

We've had to delay the tear down Holiday Lights at the Lake.
Check our new signupgenius.

Weather delay! We have cancelled tear down today and will try again tomorrow. We hope to work Monday-Wednesday but again, weather may change that. If you have any time to help, please visit the signupgenius link below.

Holiday Lights at the Lake has ended for this year. So excited that the lights will return next year. The lights need to be taken down and packed safely away. If you have time January 10, 11, or 12, we could use your help. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B044BAAAB2BA7F58-holiday5

Two rooms still available at the
Bird House
499-1882
For more information!

We have two rooms available for hospice care at The Bird House. Give us a call at 319-499-1882 for a tour and more information!

Weather delay! We have cancelled tear down today and will try again tomorrow. We hope to work Monday-Wednesday but again, weather may change that. If you have any time to help, please visit the signupgenius link below.

Holiday Lights at the Lake has ended for this year. So excited that the lights will return next year. The lights need to be taken down and packed safely away. If you have time January 10, 11, or 12, we could use your help. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B044BAAAB2BA7F58-holiday5

Santa is back at the North Pole but he left Buddy the Elf with us. Be sure you come out and get one his favorite foods, CANDY canes! Holiday Lights at the Lake

Come on out tonight, our last night of Holiday Lights at the Lake. We open at 5:00 and are open until 9:00. Thanks to all of you who visited this event this year! We are so grateful!

And on this final Friday of 2021, and the final event of #holidaylightsatthelake 2021, we want to thank our final sponsor, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. We are so thankful for your participation and generosity!

Tonight is your last chance to see Holiday Lights at the Lake this season. Join us at West Overlook Campground from 5:00-9:00. We hope to welcome you soon!

So proud of theHoliday Lights at the Lake planning committee and all our fabulous volunteers! Two more nights of lights!

Due to the chilly temperatures tonight, we have decided to cancel the last "Walkthrough Wednesday", BUT instead we will be OPEN TO DRIVE-THROUGH TRAFFIC tonight (12/29) from 5:30-8:30pm! We're so excited for everyone to see the lights glowing in the snow at the West Overlook Campground.

⚡CLOSING EARLY TONIGHT Sunday, December 26th. ⚡ Due to blowing rain, lightning in the sky and predicted thunderstorms tonight we are closing early. We'll be open again tomorrow and nightly through New Years Eve!

Remembering so many grievers this season

When you remember me…

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b044baaab2ba7f58-holiday

We are SO ready for another walk through Wednesday and can't wait to see all your smiling faces this evening from 5:30-8:30! It looks like we will have a mild winter evening and have heard from the North Pole that Santa and Mrs. Claus will be joining us for the evening! Walk through evenings cost $5.00 per person and the route is closed to vehicle traffic. If you would like to enjoy the fresh outdoor air but are hesitant to walk the 1-mile route, Pedal Power will be on-site and can take groups of 2-6 in their bicycle taxis for an additional cost of $10.00 per adult. Children with a paying adult are complimentary. Please reach out if you have any questions! We look forward to seeing you!

We are SO ready for another walk through Wednesday and can't wait to see all your smiling faces this evening from 5:30-8:30! It looks like we will have a mild winter evening and have heard from the North Pole that Santa and Mrs. Claus will be joining us for the evening! Walk through evenings cost $5.00 per person and the route is closed to vehicle traffic. If you would like to enjoy the fresh outdoor air but are hesitant to walk the 1-mile route, Pedal Power will be on-site and can take groups of 2-6 in their bicycle taxis for an additional cost of $10.00 per adult. Children with a paying adult are complimentary. Please reach out if you have any questions! We look forward to seeing you!

This is a beautiful heartfelt blessing for those grieving from a favorite author, Jan Richardson

Because on this Winter Solstice, I am needing this again for myself. So while I'm at it, I am stopping by to fold this into your hand, in case you need it, too. It’s a blessing for you, for the longest night in another very, very long year. (And to my friends in the Southern Hemisphere, a blessed Summer Solstice!)

BLESSING FOR THE LONGEST NIGHT

All throughout these months,
as the shadows
have lengthened,
this blessing has been
gathering itself,
making ready,
preparing for
this night.

It has practiced
walking in the dark,
traveling with
its eyes closed,
feeling its way
by memory,
by touch,
by the pull of the moon
even as it wanes.

So believe me
when I tell you
this blessing will
reach you,
even if you
have not light enough
to read it;
it will find you,
even though you cannot
see it coming.

You will know
the moment of its
arriving
by your release
of the breath
you have held
so long;
a loosening
of the clenching
in your hands,
of the clutch
around your heart;
a thinning
of the darkness
that had drawn itself
around you.

This blessing
does not mean
to take the night away,
but it knows
its hidden roads,
knows the resting spots
along the path,
knows what it means
to travel
in the company
of a friend.

So when
this blessing comes,
take its hand.
Get up.
Set out on the road
you cannot see.

This is the night
when you can trust
that any direction
you go,
you will be walking
toward the dawn.

—Jan Richardson
from The Cure for Sorrow: A Book of Blessings for Times of Grief

Image: "Longest Night" © janrichardsonimages.com

11 more opportunities to join us for the inaugural #holidaylightsatthelake. All proceeds from this 100% volunteer run event go to support The Bird House - Hospice Home of Johnson County. We are to grateful for your support this far!

Photos from Holiday Lights at the Lake's post

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Head on out tonight.

Radiation Oncology-CCOM who provide your radiation services in the UI Department of Radiation Oncology are professionals at the top of their field. Not only do they deliver this high level of care to hundreds of patients each year, they also are at the forefront of their discipline, pioneering new and more effective means to deliver your care safely and accurately.

This talented and thoughtful team gathered together to sponsor the 2021 #holidaylightsatthelake and we couldn't be more pleased and grateful.

Holiday Lights at the Lake is open for drive-through tonight from 5:30-8:30 at West Overlook Campground. We hope to see you soon!

Friends,
If you have time to make a dozen or two of your favorite cookies for the amazing volunteers at Holiday Lights at the Lake, we appreciate it. We have amazing people out there running this event every night. The signup link is in the post and cookies can be dropped off at The Bird House! Thanks!

Looking for volunteers to donate cookies for the Holiday Lights at the Lake! These elves work hard and need lots of energy to keep traffic moving. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e054bafaf2aa6f58-cookies1