Parlin House Hospice Residence

The Continuity of Life Stained Glass Windows

Joseph Ferguson´s "The Continuity of Life" graces the hallway to our Hospice Residence.

This beautiful stained glass triptych was commissioned by Wayside Hospice for the entrance to the Miriam Boyd Parlin Hospice Residence, a special place of peace and comfort.

The artist, Joseph Ferguson of Weston, Massachusetts, after learning about the residence and the philosophy of care, developed a conceptual model for his design, "The Continuity of Life". A poem by Sir Thomas More was in part, an inspiration to the artist.

• The first window that faces outward and reflects the light of day, captures the yellows, golds and oranges of the beginning of the day or the beginning of life. More's poem describes humankind "in the sunshine of the world's new spring, shall walk transparent like some holy thing."
• The center window, rich and full in shades of green, represents the middle of day or the middle of life. Greens are used to convey creativity, productivity, the work of life and the substance of the day.
• The third window uses the quiet and peaceful colors of blue and purple to represent the close of the day or the close of life.

In all three windows, you will see the whisper of the colors thar proceed and follow. For example, in the first window, you can see the reminder of the night with traces of blue and the promise of the day to come with hints of green. Thus, the continuity of life at every point on the human compass.