In a deeply touching moment, a carer at a hospice fulfilled a dying woman’s last wish by singing her favorite song. Maria, a former singing and piano teacher, was spending her final days in a care facility in Austinburg, Ohio. As she faced the inevitable, she found solace in the memory of the music she once loved but had not been surrounded by for a long time.
Maria’s greatest wish was simple yet profound: she wanted to hear the song “How Great Thou Art” before she passed. Little did she know, one of her former students, Joshua Woodard, worked at the same care facility. Joshua had been taught by Maria from the age of 9, and they shared a deep bond.
When Maria’s final wish was revealed, Joshua didn’t hesitate to honor it. With the lyrics of the song on his phone, he stood by her bedside and sang a heartfelt rendition of the song she had adored. The moment was deeply emotional for both Maria and Joshua, and the love between them, fostered over years of teacher and student, was evident in the intimate performance.
“Hospice workers are angels but this hospice aide is special,” remarked Marti Adkins Redmond, a family member. “Mary taught voice and piano in her day, and this aide, Joshua Woodard, was one of her students as a kid. Special people hospice workers are!”
Maria’s sister-in-law was able to capture this moving moment on film, making the memory even more cherished. Sadly, Maria is no longer with us, but the video of Joshua’s performance lives on as a testament to the compassionate care provided by workers in such settings, especially those who go above and beyond to fulfill the final wishes of the elderly.
This heartfelt gesture is a reminder of the emotional bonds that can form between carers and their charges, and the power of music to comfort in the most difficult of times. Please share this touching moment to honor all those working tirelessly to care for our elderly loved ones.
