We all grow old, and one day, we all have to say goodbye. It’s a part of life that we can’t escape.
Personally, I’m not afraid of dying. To me, it’s something beautiful and natural. But what really scares me is the thought of growing old and not being able to take care of myself.
Imagine being completely dependent on others. Not being able to go to the bathroom by yourself or even remember the names of your own children. That’s not the life I want.
Maria was living in a care facility, spending her final days there. She knew her time was running out. The idea of losing control over her life was something she feared deeply.
Maria had been a music teacher all her life, teaching both voice and piano. She missed the sounds of music, the joy it brought, and the life it filled her with.
But Maria had some luck. One of her former students worked at the same care home in Austinburg, Ohio.
Joshua Woodard had been a student of hers when he was just nine years old. They had a deep connection that went back many years.
Maria’s greatest wish, her final request, was simple: she wanted to hear her favorite song, “How Great Thou Art,” one last time.
Joshua was determined to make that wish come true. He was so eager to sing the song for her and bring her the comfort she needed in her final moments.
With the lyrics on his phone, Joshua sang a heartfelt version of the hymn. His voice was full of emotion, and the air around them felt charged with the weight of the moment.
Even more special, Joshua had known Maria since he was just a child. He had once sat in her classroom, learning the beauty of music from her. Now, years later, he was there to offer her the same comfort she had given him so long ago.
“Hospice workers are angels, but this one is something special,” said Marti Adkins Redmond, another worker at the facility.
“Mary taught voice and piano in her day, and this aide, Joshua Woodard, was one of her students as a kid. It’s such a special moment to see!”
Maria’s sister-in-law had been there, capturing the emotional moment on video.
Sadly, Maria is no longer with us. That makes the video even more moving, as it’s a memory of her last days, a beautiful and emotional goodbye.
Please take a moment to watch this touching clip and share it with your friends on Facebook to honor the incredible hospice workers who care for our elderly loved ones.
What are your thoughts? Leave your comments below and share how this story touched you!
