In 2016, Maria, a retired music teacher approaching the end of her life, spent her last days in hospice care. One of her former students, Joshua Woodard, now worked at the hospice and gave her dedicated attention. Maria’s final wish was both simple and poignant: she wanted to hear the hymn “How Great Thou Art.” Knowing her since he was nine, Joshua couldn’t let this wish go unfulfilled. He pulled up the lyrics on his phone and sang the hymn to her, bringing her comfort in her last moments.
This touching gesture showcased the strong connection between Maria and Joshua, now reversed, as he provided her with care in her final days. It also underscores the compassion and empathy shown by hospice workers like Joshua, who play an essential role in bringing peace, dignity, and comfort to those in their care. Joshua’s act serves as a reminder of the strength of human bonds and the vital impact hospice caregivers have in helping patients experience a peaceful and meaningful end of life.
