November holds many observances and holidays, Thanksgiving comes first to mind, along with Veterans’ Day, General Election Day, Child Safety Protection Month, National Adoption Awareness Month, and Peanut Butter Lovers Month. It is also known as Movember, in which participants grow mustaches to raise money and awareness for men’s health. I couldn’t write an article about November without mentioning Black Friday, the annual shopping event that takes place the day after Thanksgiving and is known for its sales and discounts.
We also recognize November as a time of national reflection, with Veterans Day reminding us of the brave individuals who have served, and continue to serve, our country. On November 11, we especially honor our veterans, whose sacrifices have given us the freedoms we hold dear. But let us remember that honoring veterans is not something that belongs to a single day or month. Their importance, their service, and their stories deserve our gratitude and remembrance year-round.
Many may not be aware that November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, a time to recognize the incredible work being done to provide comfort, dignity, and compassion to those facing serious illness and end-of-life transitions. Hospice is not just about death; it is about how we live until the very end and how we support both patients and families through some of life’s most tender and meaningful moments.
Each year in November, Hospice Alliance holds a Ring and Remember Service with readings, singing, music, and bell ringing.
This service is about remembrance, but it is also about connection. Each person we remember has left an imprint on our lives, shaping who we are and reminding us of the power of love, care, and presence. Whether it was a family member, a friend, a patient, or a fellow service member, their legacy lives on in each of us.
Throughout history, the ringing of a bell has held deep symbolic meaning. Bells call us to attention, mark significant moments, and speak when words fall short. In our program, the ringing of the bell is a way for us to honor and name those who have passed, to recognize their lives, their contributions, and the space they continue to hold in our hearts.
As we begin November, let us be fully present. Let us feel the weight and warmth of our memories. Let us reflect not only on loss but also on love and the profound connections that never truly leave us.
About Hospice Alliance
Hospice Alliance, the #1 provider of hospice care in Southeastern Wisconsin, is committed to offering compassionate physical, emotional, and spiritual care and educating our patients, those who support them, and the communities we serve.
Personalized care for patients and families who are facing life-limiting illnesses is available in the patient’s or loved one’s private homes, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, and in the Hospice Alliance Hospice House located in Pleasant Prairie.
Hospice Alliance is your compassionate community non-profit hospice, incorporated in 1981. Hospice Alliance is also a proud 5-star member of the We Honor Veterans Program, a program developed by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, in partnership with the Veterans Administration.
For more information, call 262-652-4400 or visit www.hospicealliance.org.
