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Dear Friends of Quiet Oaks,
This past week, I found myself caught up in the moments that a family at Quiet Oaks was sharing as they gathered at the table to share a meal. They had not broken bread together for more than 10 years, and it was incredible to witness the healing that came through that sacred time together. I think we often underestimate the powerful transitions that occur when we put others first and reach out to one another. We feel honored that Quiet Oaks is often the stage for these tremendous times of restoration and healing.
End-of-life situations frequently allow families and friends to recognize the significance of coming together to help and support each other. The simple act of "being there" can be as simple as being physically and emotionally present or it can mean taking action. We get to see the importance of these acts every day at Quiet Oaks, whether it is in the work of our staff, the dedication of our volunteers, or the deep love of family and friends, we understand it's incredible value.
As a nonprofit organization, we continually seek to identify ways that we can do more with less. We recognize that the assistance we receive from others is literally the foundation of our work. We simply could not carry forth our mission without the unwavering support of this wonderful community that we serve. So, we thank you. We thank you for doing your part to "be there" for us. We thank you for believing in our mission of providing comfort, care, and compassion to the dying and to providing ongoing support to their families. We thank you for allowing us the honor of this humbling vocation.
We are looking forward to gathering on September 15th for Autumn Reflections, and we would like to invite you to join us in this moving evening. This annual event is our largest fundraiser and it allows us to generate revenue to continue providing the exemplary service for which Quiet Oaks has become known. Please join us for this evening of celebration, remembrance, and envisioning. Thank you in advance for your support and commitment to our mission.
Linda Allen, Executive Director
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Moments of Grace
Working at Quiet Oaks, we receive daily reminders of the gifts that constantly surround us. Most of those gifts are simple: the beautiful wildlife meandering through our gardens, the unmistakable smell of cookies made with love, the sound of laughter echoing between families and our nurses, the honor of sharing tears and grief with one another. Beautiful, unmistakable gifts.
One of the most amazing gifts that we get to witness, however, is the deep and spiritual connections between loved ones as they share their journey with us. It is a humble reminder that our relationships here on earth are so profoundly part of us, that even death cannot separate us.
Along those same lines, we continue to be in awe at the manner in which relationships are gifted to us at Quiet Oaks. Without fail, we soak up treasured stories which lead people to choose involvement in our mission. It is humbling to watch these unions unfold, and they are always met with the utmost gratitude and appreciation.
You may recall from our last newsletter that Quiet Oaks proudly presents the work of local artists in our hallway every month. This past
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Pictured here: Kat putting the finishing touches on her exhibit that brought her to Quiet Oaks last winter
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January, a photographer by the name of Kathy (aka Kat) Umbarger of
Katumba design & photography
was led to Quiet Oaks to display her art for the month. This connection was fostered through an Art Scope Exhibition invitation that was extended through Visual Arts.
Little did any of us know that this "chance meeting" would guide us to an incredibly beautiful project, which will eventually give Quiet Oaks the gift of honoring the relationships that shaped the lives of our residents.
Kat, who has always had a love of photography, has a degree in graphic arts with over 15 years experience in corporate accounts. However, her passion for photography kept tugging on her heart, and led her to open her own business in the past 3 years. As you will see, however, the foundation for her gift in this work was laid long ago.
As Kat hung her work that winter, casual conversations began to unfold regarding the sacredness of loss. Kat's personal story, which has beheld incredible loss, has developed into a life of finding joy within sorrow, perhaps
inspired by a card she received from a friend that quoted The Prophet by Kahlil Gabran:
"When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight."
Living on the east coast at the beginning of her life, Kat knew loss early, as she and her brother, Eric were rescued from a residence that her biological mother, Hazel, had them living in. The two ultimately found a trust in a beautiful experience in foster care with Marie and Elltin Wells.
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| Kat and Eric with their loving parents, Barbara and Richard shortly after their adoption |
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Kat and her little brother thrived in the gentle care of their foster parents for four years. At the ages of 7 and 5, the two of them were adopted into the family of Barbara and Richard Shively. Even at that tender age, Kat was keenly aware of the ironic beauty of fragility and strength within the love of our relationships.
Kat was given a beautiful childhood, deeply rooted in the Catholic faith. She was encouraged to seek out her purpose, to think independently and to ask questions, which eventually led her to follow her passion for the arts, and discover her business in photography.
Over the past decade, however, Kat faced the reality of losing both of her parents to cancer. Her quiet, brilliant father left this world 9 years ago this month, and her charismatic, confident mother passed into Eternity on Easter Sunday, just 2 years ago. Through these difficult losses, Kat has chosen to find joys in the sorrows and appreciate the moments of living. As the quote above suggests, we can find joy in our sorrows because they mean we are missing something that was beautiful.
It has been said that photographers are collectors of beautiful moments. Kat often refers to these once in a lifetime moments as "glimmerings." One of Kat's greatest gifts as a photographer is to freeze time within the moments of living; to recognize and be present in the "marrow" of life and capture the glimmerings.
This wonderful gift, combined with the amazing moments that present themselves in end-of-life care, brings about some incredible news for Quiet Oaks:
Heart Held Hands
is a  project that will invite families to have Kat capture the moments in which physical presence is fleeting. We are blessed to witness the power of our residents connecting to others in their final days. With the generosity of Kat's beautiful gift, we are able to assist families in capturing those last moments of holding hands, before departing ways....until they meet again.
Kat has created a division within Katumba design & photography, entitled Humble Hearts. The effort of this hand legacy project,
Heart Held Hands
, will offer families the sacred glimmerings of their final days together, captured forever.
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Quiet Oaks is proud to present "Heart Held Hands"
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Please watch this video to see some of the
Heart Held Hands
images that inspire our work and bring comfort to our families. We think you'll find the images will speak to your soul and allow you to share in the moments of grace that are so evident at the end of a journey. Heartfelt thanks to Kat for helping us to give this gift to our families.
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Dessert First!
Life is Short... Enjoy the Good Stuff!
Our annual fundraiser, Autumn Reflections is quickly approaching! Please, mark your calendars to attend our event!
September 15th, 2016
5:30 pm
Gorecki Center, CSB campus
Get Involved!
Sponsorship Opportunities
Share your Time and Talent by serving on an Autumn Reflections Committee!
Contact our Chair, Mary Wright by email: mmwrite1955@gmail.com
or telephone at 507-327-4049
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Paint Night Fun!
We had a wonderful time last month with a SELL-OUT class for our first Paint Night! We will be offering our next Paint Night on Thursday, August 4th, in which we will paint this beautiful dragonfly. The dragonfly holds deep meaning to many who have lost a loved one. Here is a
poem that brings great peace to us as we process loss at Quiet Oaks. Please join us for a night of laughter and fun as we create our masterpieces!
August 4th, Quiet Oaks Cottage
6:00-9:00 pm
(please come 20 minutes early to get situated)
Contact Molly at 255-5433, ext 11 OR
to reserve your spot! Space is limited to 30 guests, so call today!
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| Sign up to create this gorgeous picture at our next Paint Night THIS Thursday! |
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Thank You, From the
Bottom of our Hearts!!
We consider it such a privilege to care for the family and friends that share their lives with our residents, and we continually seek ways to support them in their time at Quiet Oaks. We recognize that saying goodbye to a loved one can be a very difficult and stressful time. That being said, we are grateful to be a recipient of a grant that assists us in gaining access to a
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P
ictured Left to right- Joel Vogel (Mended Hearts) Mike McCarty, (Quiet Oaks Board receiving gift of AED)Susie Osaki (Holm, Take Heart)
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device known as an AED. This incredibly important life-saving equipment will be installed at Quiet Oaks in the upcoming weeks. We would especially like to extend a warm thank you to
CentraCare Health Foundation, Take Heart at the CentraCare Heart & Vascular Center, and Mended Hearts for their dedication to saving lives from sudden cardiac arrest in our communities.
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Quiet Oaks 5th Annual Memorial Butterfly Release
Please take a moment to share in the gentle beauty of the Butterfly Release, held on July 24th. We are grateful for gorgeous weather, joyful music, and excellent company. But most of all, we give thanks for the opportunity to share your tears and remember your loved ones. It is an honor to join with our community to share the love of family and friends.
This Poem, "Morning Poem 24" was penned by Amy Filipczak, a resident at Quiet Oaks last summer, during her journey on hospice. Thank you to her husband, Bob for allowing us to reflect upon this beautifully fitting poem before we released our butterflies.
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Healing in the Gardens
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Snacks greet guests as they enter the Garden Party |
Our July
Garden Party was, once again, amazing! So many of our guests spoke of the how nice it was to visit Quiet Oaks again under such different circumstances. These informal gatherings are a simple way to relax and enjoy the beauty of Quiet Oaks. In July, we savored the music of
Max and Deb Band,
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Guests enjoy music as they visit and reflect on their connections to Quiet Oaks |
soaked up the beautiful weather, and shared stories, laughter and tears. If you haven't joined us for this wonderful event (or even if you have already), mark your calendars for our last Garden Party of the summer! To find out how to join us for our next event on August 18th,
click here!
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Doug and Tom Return!
We are so thankful for the hard work and the willing hearts of Tom and Doug, who made their trek on bike to Chicago to raise awareness for Quiet Oaks Hospice House! Because of their ride, more people know about the mission of Quiet Oaks and they were able to raise $3,300.00. We hope you were able to see the awesome pictures that they sent of their trip on our Facebook page! If you haven't done so, make sure to like us on Facebook!
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Chamber Connection "Connects"
at Quiet Oaks in July!
What a fun way to share all of the amazing things that are happening in our neck of the woods! Thank you to all who attended. We are grateful for the opportunity to share the privilege of our work with our awesome community! People who have experienced the spirit of Quiet Oaks are our greatest testimony! Please continue to talk about the GREAT things that are happening at Quiet Oaks. Our door is always open! Stop back and visit again!
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August 4-Paint Night
6:00
St. Therese Cottage
August 18th-Garden Party
5:00-8:00
September 15th-Autumn Reflections
5:30
CSB Gorecki Center
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Like us on Facebook and share our page with your friends & family!
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