08/12/2025
šæ Volunteer Spotlight: Joanne Van Ert šæ
Earlier this year, one of Joanneās dear patients passed away. In the weeks that followed, Joanne held onto a tender memory of their time togetherāand put it into words to honor her.
Tucking in the Bunny
The Gentle Ritual of a Mind Forgetting
Yesterday,
she was especially tenderā
my dear patient
with hands now slow,
yet so full of care.
I watchedas she gently tucked in her stuffed bunny,
nestled in a shoebox like a cradle,
then brushed its furwith the softest devotion.
Her heartāstill brimmingā
spoke in gestures
when words no longer could.
I paused,
letting the sweetness of her ritual
wash over the ache in my own chest.
Some days,
the weight of these visits
settles deep in my bones.
But moments like thisā
brief as they areā
shine like lightthrough a curtain.
They steady me.
They stay.
ā Joanne Van Ert
š Thank you, Joanne, for sharing your heart and giving us a glimpse of the beauty that remains, even in lifeās hardest goodbyes.
We are always looking for compassionate volunteers like Joanne. If youād like to start making a difference in the lives of others, fill out a volunteer application today: https://nuvi.me/4pobfq
