Haydel Memorial Hospice

02/20/2026

02/19/2026

📞 Let’s Talk

Choosing hospice is a deeply personal decision, and having the right information matters. If you’re considering hospice for yourself or a loved one, reach out to us for a confidential conversation and support every step of the way.

☎️ Call us at (985) 655-1020

02/13/2026

Here is the remaining dates of Parades and fun to be had! Stay safe out there!
Feel Free to share with your family and friends!

02/11/2026

Another great story!

Some of the most common fears I hear from those at the bedside after a death are these:
"I didn’t do enough."
"I should have been there more."
"I should have stayed longer."
"I should have known what to say, what to do, how to make it better."

When we read or hear things afterward about end-of-life care, it is almost impossible not to think, "why didn’t I do that?"

Learning after the fact does not mean you failed before it. It simply means you are human, doing the best you could with the tools, knowledge, and strength you had at the time.

Sitting at the bedside, especially for the first time, comes with uncertainty, fear, and impossible decisions.
You gave medications even when it scared you.
You didn't give medications because they scared you.
You fed them because you thought it was right.
You stopped feeding and carried the weight of that choice.
You stepped out of the room, and they took their last breath.

You showed up when you could, advocated when you knew how, trusted others when you needed help, and loved in the ways available to you. None of this is a flaw. These doubts and second-guessing yourself are not signs that you did something wrong; they are signs that you cared deeply.

You don’t have to have all the answers to get this right. Even those of us with experience still question ourselves at certain bedsides. What matters most is that you showed up with your heart, that you tried, and that you loved. That was enough.

Remember this: you did everything you possibly could. You did the best that you could with what you knew, what you had, and who you were in that moment, and you showed up, that is the gift.

Do not compare your story to someone else’s or second-guess what you gave. This was never a competition or a test of self-worth. It isn’t about what others might have done or how you think you should have done it. It is about what you did, and that you were there, and to the person in that bed, that was everything.

And if this was your first time caring for someone at the end of their life, and you learned something that may help you show up differently for someone else someday, or allows you to offer wisdom to a friend walking this path, then what you did here mattered in another way too. You grew. You evolved. We continue to do better, and that is what matters.

xo
Gabby
www.thehospiceheart.net

02/09/2026

02/06/2026

Lots of parades happening this weekend for Mardi Gras! Join in the fun:

Experience Mardi Gras in Houma by exploring parades, events, and local traditions. Check out the parade updates and travel stories for this Mardi Gras season.

02/05/2026

Complete our online form today! Volunteer now. https://haydelhospice.com/volunteer/

02/04/2026

01/30/2026

The Heartbeat of Hospice

It is not loud, this heartbeat you hear,
It does not rush, it does not fear.
It moves in time with breath and grace,
A steady calm in a fragile space.

It sounds like hands that know when to stay,
Like whispered words at the end of the day.
A rhythm of comfort, of love held tight,
Through longest hours and quiet nights.

This heartbeat lives in each caring touch,
In listening more, and speaking less.
It keeps the time when time feels thin,
Honoring life as it softens within.

And when the final moment draws near,
The beat remains—gentle, clear.
A steady presence, quiet and sincere,
The heartbeat of hospice is always near.

01/28/2026

What we take with us when we die? Such another great read! Enjoy it.

When I sit at the bedside of someone who is about to die, I often become the receiver of their life story, a quiet witness to their reflections, memories, and truths. Most of the time, I hear about love, family, friendships, and laughter, the moments that made life rich and meaningful. But often, woven between those memories, are whispers of regret. Not the kind about missed vacations or unfulfilled dreams, but the deeper kind, wishing they had spent more time with the people they love, or that they had let go of anger, pride, and disappointment sooner. It’s remarkable how quickly we can walk away from those we love when we feel hurt or misunderstood, yet when we reach the end, it’s the broken connections and unresolved emotions that weigh heaviest.

There are people in my own life whom I have chosen to step away from. I’ve sat with that decision and realized that peace doesn’t always mean reconciliation, sometimes, it’s acceptance. I can wish them well, be grateful for the time we shared, and still honor the space that now exists between us. Making peace with that means I don’t carry the burden of regret when my own time comes.

So, how do we live without regret? I think it comes down to this: we can either do the hard work to mend what’s been broken, meeting each other where we are with compassion and grace, or we can release what no longer fits, but still choose forgiveness and peace. Either way, we free ourselves. Because one day, when we look back, the question that will matter most isn’t “Was I right?” but “Did I love well and without regret?”

xo
Gabby

You can find this blog here:
https://www.thehospiceheart.net/post/what-we-take-with-us-when-we-die