To the Editor:
Over the many years I have lived in Bayonne I learned that no one, anywhere, could possibly be more generous and kind than our citizens. I have gotten to know many of the civic, veteran and other organizations who have at least one annual fundraiser in order to raise funds used to further their cause.
Our city and the citizens have and continue to amaze me due to their exceptional caring for others. And of course what comes to my mind today is the response Bayonne made to the horrific attack across the river.
However, my letter today is directed a little more selfishly toward two agencies that are generally not heard of intentionally and do not seek the limelight. As some may know, my wife Jean recently passed away and was cared for at home for the last three weeks of her life. It was a decision that we both discussed often enough; to not let each other die in a hospital.
When arrangements were made, I had no idea what to expect when she came home. However, two agencies stepped up and guided me, not unlike, one may think, “God has to be responsible for this.” The two agencies I am speaking of are the Bayonne Visiting Nurses Assn. and Hudson Hospice. Of course I heard of them but never realized or understood their functions or what the members really do.
When my wife, Jean came home, they simply started putting things in place to make, not only, Jean’s last three weeks as comfortable and painless as humanly possible but assisted me by teaching me what I was expected to do. I not only learned how to take care of my wife, but I learned how knowledgeable, kind and concerned they are. There was little I had to do other than learn to care for my wife. Everything else was executed by the previously mentioned agencies, in a perfect and timely fashion. They answered my calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Oftentimes, they were at our home ensuring things were going as planned and that Jean’s pain was minimal.
Even if you are blessed enough to not ever have to utilize the services of Hudson Hospice and The Bayonne Visiting Nurses Assn., I ask you to support them in any way possible and to recognize the wonderful people who do the work of the agencies. I cannot say enough about their exceptional professionalism or the beautiful people who perform the work.
Thank you BVNA and Hudson Hospice. I love you and your work.
TED CONNOLLY