With Deep Sympathy

A message from Totally Kids Chief Operating Officer, Irwin Hansen.

Covid-19 has brought sorrow to many families. Families in our nation, our state, our county and our Totally Kids Employee family have lost loved-ones.  We who work in health care know that we put others before ourselves; some say this is health-care’s finest hour. We are proud that we do not shrink from personal peril when it comes to caring for our patients. Regrettably, loss and grief are part of the mission and are a price of our calling as healers who serve in a healing organization.

Nevertheless, when we lose one of our own, it hurts in a special way and our understanding the issues does not remove or reduce the pain.  Within our Totally Kids employee family, we have experienced loss through death. Moreover, when one of us feels the pain of losing a loved-one we all share the pain. Our Faith helps us understand the long view but the sting of death is real and it is now.

The cumulative result of this sorrow can be an organization-wide sadness that prevails over us all. Often we feel alone and isolated. This isolation adds to the isolation forced on us by the pandemic and, that can be a lethal combination.  Through this letter, I want to encourage us to find an “overcoming spirit” together–to rise up and continue to do our best, and, at the same time, honor those who have become “family” to us. The task of picking ourselves up demands we acknowledge our pain. Remember that being out of doors is calming in itself; be outside, and take a walk.  We have created an ‘Outdoor Rest Area” that is in the central courtyard. It is for your use: use it.

It is essential that if you are feeling down you should know you are supposed to feel that way. Also, remember God has given us the ability to heal and again become optimistic. We thank each of you for being part of the Totally Kids Employee Family.  You are treasured!