Life

Widows find cheer in Hendersonville trip

Funeral home group enjoyed lunch at Mike's on Main.

By Bill Moss, Published: September 24, 2012

Nadine Ricker has survived more than her share of bereavement.

While she lost her husband 31 years ago, in more recent years she lost a grandson to a boating accident and, about a year later, his father to cancer. So she speaks from experience about grief, and how to get soldier through it.
Mrs. Ricker was among 62 widows and widowers who filled nearly every seat at Mike's on Main last Wednesday when a bereavement support group from East Tennessee visited Hendersonville.
"I've been on them about two years," she said as she enjoyed a sandwich at a table of four. "I lost a son about two years ago and a grandson about a year before that."
Like a lot of the women, she was dressed a tad better than casual, with her hair just so and a smile on her face. It helps to get out of town, be among friends and explore new places without having to drive and figure out where to park.
"It's the Lift Club," she said. "It's like the name says, it gives you a lift."
LIFT stands for Living Information for Today, a social support program that helps widows and widowers adjust to the loss of a spouse. Through the program, funeral homes "hope to reinforce a sense of wholeness and purpose in those who may be feeling lost," the Kiser Rose Hill Funeral Home says on its website. "Often, a widowed person feels isolated, usually believing no one really understands how he or she feels. Because of this, they are commonly reluctant to get involved with new people or unfamiliar organizations. The Dignity Memorial LIFT program gives them the opportunity for involvement with people who share similar feelings and experiences."
Jim Carter and David Gibbs led the excursion to Hendersonville. A charter bus leaves about 9 a.m. and returns by dark. The bus ride is free; the men and women on the trip pay for their own lunch.
"We take trips about every other month," Carter said. "We've been to Biltmore and different places. It's just a chance for the ladies to get out and fellowship and enjoy the stuff around the area."
The Hendersonville trip was a popular one.
"We've got a family car we use for services, our stretch limo, and we had such an overflow today we had to bring it," Carter said.
They look forward to it once a month. It's a day trip from Greeneville, Tenn.
The Greeneville funeral directors have offered LIFT trips to Biltmore House, Asheville, Waynesville, the Bush Brothers Visitors Center in Chestnut Hill, Tenn., Shatley Springs and church frescoes in Ashe County and other attractions. Last week, after lunch at Mike's on Main, the ladies and gentlemen had two hours of free time to shop on Main Street. Several said they looked forward to checking out Mast General Store.
"It allows them the ability to socialize and gives them things to do, instead of being so lonesome," Gibbs said. "We're trying to help with the bereavement."
It seemed to be working. Mike's dining room was filled with chatter, laughter and smiles.
Sitting with Mrs. Ricker, Sylvia Campbell was enjoying her first LIFT trip.
"I love it," she said. "I'll go every time I get a chance. It takes all the worry out of travel, doesn't it?"