Southern Hospitality is abundant in our culture. Even young children are taught to offer friends a toy or snack when they visit. And throughout our lives we become accustomed to being treated in a certain way when at a friend’s or loved one’s home.
The root of the word hospitality comes from Greek, meaning “guest, host,” with the understanding that a hospitable relationship is one of support and care.
Other common words with this root include hospital and hostel. Both places where people may stop for care, including physical comfort, and in the case of hospitals, even some body repair work. At a hostel, guests may stay for a bit, then they head on to other destinations.
A word folks sometimes interpreted as scary, yet originating from the same root word, is hospice. At its simplest definition, hospice is a home providing care for the sick, especially the terminally ill.
At Hospice & Community Care, we have a team of folks who do just that. From physicians to aides to nurses to social workers. Addressing the comforts and needs of our patients and their loved ones. Hospitality is acting as the host to a guest, making them feel more comfortable in the place they are visiting. Hospice takes this one step further by hosting and guiding our patients and guests to be at peace while under our care, and in the world beyond.
