Abbotsford Police Chief Bob Rich delivered the keynote address at the annual Tabor Village Prayer Breakfast last month, focusing on bereavement and supporting those who help others through trauma and grief.
The event attracted more than 50 people, and offered inspiration and prayer for those who serve others to enhance their lives.
Among the points addressed by Rich during his speech was that how people understand the world around them is based on their lens of the reality they experience.
Other points he made included that:
– There is a struggle between good and evil and on some days evil prevails.
– Death is part of our story; we all have an end date.
– Embrace the reality that others need your support.
– We are walking alongside each other on the life journey together.
– Be authentic and willing to take risks that lead to genuine relationships.
Dan Levitt, executive director of Tabor Village, also offered words of encouragement.
“How we experience loss, how we rejoice and how we grieve, how we serve, how we care, how we pray, and how we overcome says a great deal of how we care for seniors,” he said.
“I’ve witnessed firsthand and met seniors who’ve withstood loneliness, helplessness and boredom – things aging can throw at you – but the one quality all of them seem to share is an ability to maintain hope for a brighter tomorrow, even when the mountain they are climbing appears insurmountable.”
Hildegard Bandsmer, chair of Tabor Village, said there is an expectation among today’s 60- and 70-year-olds that the current option to receive faith-based care in a residential setting will be there when they need it.
“But that is an option that cannot be taken for granted. It is time to rebuild outdated residential care settings, creating new complex care residences to preserve that faith based option for the future,” she said.