By Toni L. Eaton, RN, BSN, MS, President & CEO of Old Colony Hospice & Palliative Care
August: Hot sands. Summer waves. And beach reads. Time to grab the sunglasses and head to the shore with a good book.
I know the beach read is supposed to be, well, not serious, more on the light side. Everyone should definitely have a few of those to dive into this season. A little bit of mystery, romance, sci-fi, or comic relief— all good choices. This summer, though, you might also consider slipping a slightly different kind of book into your beach bag, something that may sound a bit heavier but could make you feel a little lighter.
There’s no doubt that it has been a rough couple of years, and many of us are still reeling from layers of loss and trying to right the balance in our lives. As we catch our collective breath, we’re looking for ways to recover, heal, and tap into hope.
I asked our social work and spiritual care teams at Old Colony Hospice & Palliative Care and Dr. Ruth McLain Hospice Home for book recommendations that have inspired and helped them, their loved ones, and their patients. Here are some of their favorites. You won’t find these on your typical beach read list, but they might offer comfort and emotional relaxation—the true mark of a good beach read.
Toni L. Eaton, RN, BSN, MS, is the President & CEO of Old Colony Hospice & Palliative Care of West Bridgewater, a dynamic non-profit hospice serving more than 55 communities south of Boston. OCH also runs the Dr. Ruth McLain Hospice Home in Braintree. A native and resident of the South Shore, Toni brings her compassion and experience as a nurse, veteran, and community leader to her insightful columns for South Shore Senior News. She is the founder of Sunny Paws Dog Rescue. Her leadership has been honored by several groups, including the South Shore Women’s Business Network. She currently sits on the boards of the Hospice & Palliative Care Federation of Massachusetts and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization Regulatory Committee. For more information, call (781) 341-4145 or visit Old Colony Hospice & Palliative Care at www.oldcolonyhospice.org.
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