A Word From Our Guests

From a guest who traveled from a remote part of the Navajo Reservation:
"Thank you Leslie and staff for making me and my family feel at home. I needed the rest and it sure makes transportation a lot easier." — Irene

From family who lives in Michigan:
"Thank you.. What a blessing you have been to us in the darkest hour of our lives. The peace, kindness, security, and comfort of this house and its staff will never be forgotten." — Bill & Anne

A former guest, from 2007, returned to say:
"Thank you." She said, "My stay at CHH was life-changing. I went to the conference for cancer survivors at Glorieta and I told everyone about the Connelly House." — Evelyn

Hospitality at It's Best

A nineteen year old Marine stationed in California stayed at CHH for several days after his mother, a local woman, passed away from cancer in the hospital. CHH provided lodging while the medical center provided a social worker to assist him with funeral arrangements. The VFW and Red Cross provided financial assistance. This was truly a community effort for a young soldier among strangers.

Dee's Story

She was young, only in her mid-forties. She was pretty, even when she was bald. She had an aggressive form of breast cancer. She took a leave of absence from her job, endured disfiguring surgery and poisonous chemo and completed radiation that left her exhausted. Thankfully, with early detection, Dee’s future looks bright.

The physical aspect of cancer was bad enough yet another great tragedy occurred in her family - Dee’s young niece died in a house fire. Dee and her family were traumatized by their terrible loss.

Dee has a brave heart. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she was training for a 13 mile marathon. The day before her surgery, Dee ran and completed the marathon. That accomplishment encouraged her to keep her eyes on her goal of recovery.

In the CHH library, Dee discovered a book about forgiveness and how forgiveness affects health – both emotionally and physically. With her new understanding, Dee approached the person who had hurt her deeply years ago. Dee extended her forgiveness. Dee has a brave heart.

In this same book, Dee read how a hurtful childhood can influence an adult’s thoughts. She asked God to set her free from thoughts of shame over things that she could not control when she was a mere child. Dee has a brave heart. After 7 weeks of daily radiation, Dee returned home. Her hair grew out, she takes daily walks and she wears make-up again. She returned to CHH to tell her story to the “I Can Cope” Support group.

In my office, she told two HOST volunteers and me: “You say you are a place of hope & healing. For me, it truly was that kind of place. Thank you.”