2018 - Nov - Gazette - Conversations Count: Time for Family, Time for Talk Month

Conversations Count: Time for Family, Time for Talk Month

A counselor ed class of Penn State graduate students recently spent a couple of hours asking one another meaningful questions such as: What is something very few people know about you? Did your heritage play a role in your upbringing, and if so, how? Is there a particular event that drew your family closer together?

The class professor texted me to let me know how much fun the students were having.

An extended family gathered around their dining room table - a rare occurrence in their busy lives - and shared their Thanksgiving meal together. While relaxing at the table between the main course and dessert, they asked each other thought-provoking questions. What hobby or activity makes you lose track of time? Who was your favorite teacher and what do you remember about him/her? As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up and why?

From the children to the grandparents, everyone had a good time.

The mother of a newly blended family brought up various topics at family meals to encourage discussion. Subjects such as: Describe the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done. What made you laugh so hard you cried? What does your perfect day look like?

It was happy family bonding time.

And what was present in each of these scenarios? The Have the Talk of a Lifetime deck of cards – 50 questions that will help you learn more about your loved ones.

November is Time for Family, Time for Talk month. The Funeral and Memorial Council (FAMIC) created this event to encourage people to Have the Talk of a Lifetime, important conversations about what matters most and how you want to be remembered.

From All Hallows’ Eve, Halloween, All Saints’ Day, All Souls’ Day, and Día de los Muertos, through Veterans Day, World Kindness Day, Thanksgiving, National Day of Listening and National Day of Giving, this time of year is rich with opportunities to come together, share, reminisce, honor and be grateful. Simply choose one of the special days listed, print the Holiday Guide from the Koch Funeral Home Time for Family, Time for Talk page on the website and begin sharing those meaningful stories with your family and friends. Have fun and make the conversations count. I’ve companioned many people after losing a loved one and those who had these types of talks were so thankful they did!

If you would like to learn more about Have the Talk of a Lifetime and various other topics, you’re invited to participate in one of our upcoming events:

• Monday’s Moments Complimentary Luncheon – “Conversations Count: Time for Family, Time for Talk,” Monday, November 5 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott, 1730 University Drive, State College -When you've lost a loved one, sometimes you think back to special conversations you had together - conversations count and you carry them with you. At this gathering, we'll talk about these meaningful conversations and ways to continue having them with other loved ones. You'll leave with your own deck of Have the Talk of a Lifetime cards.  RSVP by Thursday, November 1. 
   
• Adult Children of Aging Parents (ACAP) - “Have the Talk of a Lifetime,” Tuesday, November 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Best Western PLUS University Park Inn and Suites, 115 Premiere Drive, State College – This presentation will encourage families to talk with loved ones about life, the things that matter most and how you want to be remembered. Here too, you will leave with your own deck of Have the Talk of a Lifetime cards. Registration is appreciated; call 1-877-599-2227 (ACAP) or email ACAP.CentreCounty@ACAPcommunity.org.
   
• Healing through the Holidays Education and Support Group, Every Monday, November 19, November 26, December 3, December 10 and December 17 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at CHOICES, 2214 N. Atherton Street, Upper Level, State College - The holiday season can be a challenging time for anyone who has experienced the death of someone special. This education and support/discussion group provides time to talk, share, and learn how to cope with what can be difficult times. Please join us for these free gatherings. RSVP by November 14.
   
• Monday’s Moments Complimentary Luncheon – “Meaningful Memories and Moments,” Monday, December 3 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott, 1730 University Drive, State College – After the death of a loved one, you miss them over the holidays.  Thinking about Meaningful Memories and Moments can bring comfort. At this gathering we'll share about some of these memories and watch the important documentary, Voices of Grief: Honoring the Sacred Journey. From this gathering, you will leave with the encouragement to heal in your own way. RSVP by Wednesday, November 28.  

Unless specified above, RSVP by calling 814-237-2712, emailing admin@kochfuneralhome.com or visiting our Facebook page.  These events are open to the public. For additional information, please visit the Koch Funeral Home website’s Monday’s Moments Gatherings and Events page located under Community Outreach Programs.

To add to the fun, this year we even have Have the Talk of a Lifetime card decks For Kids and Celebrations! We look forward to hearing about your conversations that count!

Jackie Hook, MA, is a spiritual director and celebrant.  She coordinates the Helping Grieving Hearts Heal program through Koch Funeral Home in State College.  For more information, please call 814-237-2712 or visit www.kochfuneralhome.com.