Halloween night. World Series. Blue Jays-Dodgers. Game 6.

Dad was sitting back in a comfy couch in the family room at Percy's Place, just like he was in his own living room, only better, because he was watching it on a giant tv screen and he didn't have to bicker with mom over the left handed relief pitcher the blue Jays kept putting in and losing games. A good friend had joined him for each game of the series and was on the recliner beside him. During the 7th inning stretch the Dodgers were up 3-1.  Dad, knowing the blue jays were done, looked over and said "Sam, thanks for coming over to watch the game with me, I really appreciate it" and then was gone

On August 17th this summer, which was ironically mom and dad’s first wedding anniversary since he had passed, Jill Hackett asked if I could share a FEW words about our family’s experience at Percy’s Place. There was no way I could say no, because my dad would not have said no to such a request... but his definition of a few words and mine weren’t not exactly the same. I got the impression that Jill was well aware of his long-winded reputation because when I met her in the grocery store last week she made sure to remind me “you know it doesn’t have too be long”!

Jill said " Your dad’s stay at Percy’s Place was rather unique… there were SO MANY people through to see him - it’s like he had a living wake that lasted over a week ” Although it may have been unique in the sense that dad had so many visitors, I'm sure that most people who have had a loved one spend any amount of time at Percy’s Place would have very similar views on this special place.

I remember certain things about that week last October…

I remember that dad was taken from the ICU to Percy’s Place in an ambulance, and in the time that it took me to get to my vehicle at the hospital and drive the 5 km to Percy’s Place, park the car, and go in… Dad was already settled in his room chatting away with the staff like he’d been there a month!

I remember being overwhelmed at the sincerity, and the heart to serve others exhibited by every single staff and volunteer I remember the Event that is spending any amount of time with Judy Losier, and being so thankful for her role at Percy’s Place, her contribution to the community, her many volunteer and fundraising activities, her ability to make everyone around her feel happier, at ease, as if she’s known you her entire life. She greeted patients and families at Percy’s Place as if they were lifelong friends and she were hosting them in her own home. Judy’s mother Leona was a resident at the same time as dad. He made a number of visits down hallway to torment and enjoy her company and quick teacher wit.

I remember seeing Dr. Losier each evening. Now You might think that the last place a doctor would want to spend the end of each 12 or 14 or 16 hour day at the hospital would be another health care facility. But not Dr. Losier. Percy’s Place seems to allow him to decompress and almost end his days in delight. He appeared so at ease, sauntering from room to room to kindly sit and chat with his patients, with little regard for the time of night.

I remember a fully stocked communal fridgeI remember a fully stocked communal fridge

I remember the staff providing wonderful warm meals for free! that weren’t just for the residents, but for the families, and any visitors who happened to be there!

I remember the plate of cookies… you’d never know by my girlish figure, but I’ve never said no to a chocolate chip cookie. Every time I drive by PP I wonder if anyone would notice if I slipped in and took a couple of cookies off that plate. … But that was until my friend Dyson told me about the cookie plate being a magic plate!I remember the plate of cookies… you’d never know by my girlish figure, but I’ve never said no to a chocolate chip cookie. Every time I drive by PP I wonder if anyone would notice if I slipped in and took a couple of cookies off that plate. … But that was until my friend Dyson told me about the cookie plate being a magic plate!

Dyson's brother Devin noticed that Jeannie’s cookie plate never stayed empty.... He would deliberately eat the last cookie and invariably the next time he walked by the plate was full of cookies again! So it HAS to be a magic plate of endless cookies! So I fully intend on stopping by to test out the magic plate theory, perhaps more than once!

I remember the big family room where dad received dozens and dozens of visitors over the course of a week- most of whom would not have felt comfortable coming to the hospital or even to the house to visit. PP is neutral, welcoming ground where the community is encouraged to come and bring comfort to their loved ones.

It was a place where He could play crib with his grandkids, and sit and chat with old hockey buddies, former teachers and friends and family of all ages! He got to show interest in, torment or encourage anyone who came to visit, and it all allowed him to return to feeling and looking like himself again, if only for a few daysIt was a place where He could play crib with his grandkids, and sit and chat with old hockey buddies, former teachers and friends and family of all ages! He got to show interest in, torment or encourage anyone who came to visit, and it all allowed him to return to feeling and looking like himself again, if only for a few days.

As a matter of fact, there were a number of visitors, after seeing Dad’s positive condition quietly asked “Eric, are you sure you’re supposed to be here?”

But Dr. Rigley and Dr. Losier and the other professionals who are so, so good at what they do, did know.... and as is often the case, God puts us right where we need to be... and Percy's Place is right where it needs to be, and does precisely what it needs to do, for so many families on the Miramichi.

I remember thinking about the immeasurable impact and exponential legacy PP has on the people who experience the care and the philosophy of this place, it's governing board, it's staff, and it's volunteers.

Great people attract great people. This is obviously true for the paid staff, but also the caliber of volunteers who donate their time to be part of this special work.

Nathalie Waterbury became one of those many volunteers at Percy’s Place after her mother-in-law, Phyllis, had been a resident. She says: “We knew we wanted her final days to be filled with comfort, dignity and love. When we walked into Percy’s Place, we knew we had found where Phyllis needed to be. For just over a month, she was surrounded by family, beautiful memories and the incredible care and compassion of the staff and volunteers. A few months later, I became a volunteer at Percy’s Place as a way of giving back to the people and place that had supported us through our darkest days. What began as a desire to help others has grown into something very special. Percy’s Place has become an important part of our lives, and the people I have met there have become some of the most meaningful friendships I have ever made.” Now, the impression that PP makes on those it serves is not limited to those of us like Nathalie, who are, unfortunately, approaching middle-age! A young lady named Malia Hallihan plays high school soccer for me at Miramichi Valley and she was introduced to PP when her Grampie Hallihan spent time there last fall. She was so impacted by the experience that she returned as a summer student this year. When I asked her for some thoughts about her experience this is what she told me:

“Over the summer, I got the opportunity to work at Percy’s Place, and it was honestly one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. I think one of the most special things about working at this place was being able to show care and kindness to people who are nearing the end of their lives. It was really meaningful to know that even something small, like sitting with someone, talking to them, helping them with something, or just being there, could make their day a little better. It is a place that has been created out of genuine care for people and their families. I was able to have my grandfather stay at Percy’s Place in September of last year, and seeing the way the staff and doctor cared for him and our family was something I will never forget. They are truly some of the most special people who care so deeply about every person who comes through their doors. It was also really special to be able to sit and talk with people who didn’t have family around them while they were going through such a difficult time. Being able to listen to them, hear their stories, and just spend time with them made me realize how important it is to have someone there who cares. Sometimes you don’t have to do anything big to make a difference. Just having someone to talk to and knowing that someone is there for you can mean so much.

…Working at Percy’s Place made me understand even more why this place is so important to so many families. I’m so thankful that I got the opportunity to work somewhere that already meant so much to me and my family. Being able to give back to a place that cared for my grandfather was really special, and this is an experience I will always carry with me.”

The older you get the more you're aware that there’s a lot of stuff that’s just broke- You don’t have to look very far to find negativity, incompetence, self-centeredness, laziness, and chronic lack of resources in most institutions. PP shows us how selflessness, compassion, empathy, work ethic, attention to detail and community support can inspire people, and create an environment where, after one of life's most difficult moments, people return to volunteer and work just to be apart of what's going on there. In a world where we live in the real and seldom see see the ideal, Percy’s Place IS the ideal.

I'm grateful every time I drive by Percy's Place that such a place exists, that there are exceptional people who serve its residents, their families and this community, and that there is a magic cookie plate to make some of the most difficult stages of life a little more palatable.