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Labyrinths are believed to promote calm and spiri-tual
wellbeing while relieving stress and anxiety, and so
have risen in importance in healthcare spaces in recent
years. The Lower Cape Fear Hospice facility is just off
busy 17th Street, but the labyrinth in Heritage Garden is
a peaceful place. The sound of flowing water filters out
much of the noise of nearby traffic and sirens.
The seven-circuit, classical pattern labyrinth is
the second in the history of the hospice center. The
first was inspired by the one at Church of the Servant,
and the church provided both seed money and
volunteer labor to make its installation possible in
2005. Hospice Healing Arts Coordinator Lorraine
Perry recalls with gratitude the help of the church in
constructing the labyrinth, which was dedicated in
LOWER CAPE FEAR HOSPICE
honor of the center’s first director, Eloise Thomas.
The hospice center was expanded in 2014, and the
addition of a new six-bed wing necessitated moving the
labyrinth to the Heritage Garden.
Perry encourages family members caring for loved
ones to utilize the labyrinth for meditation, stress
reduction and spiritual healing. She describes labyrinth
walking as a way to “touch our sorrows and release our
joys.” It’s a way for caregivers to set their intention for
the day and re-enter the hospice center refreshed. Perry
observes that walking the labyrinth allows individuals
to become more grounded and return better able to
help others.
The Heritage Garden and its labyrinth are open to
hospice caregivers and visitors.
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