Maria is dying. Then carer takes something out of his pocket and fulfills her last wish.

We all grow old, and eventually, we all pass away.

I’m not particularly afraid of death—honestly, I think it’s a beautiful and natural part of life. What I do fear, though, is getting old and losing my ability to care for myself. The thought of being completely dependent on someone else, not even being able to go to the bathroom on my own or remember my children’s names, is terrifying. That’s no way to live.

Maria spent her last days in a care facility, fully aware that time was running out. She had spent her whole life as a singing and piano teacher, and as she neared the end, she longed to be surrounded by music again.

Luckily, one of her former students, Joshua Woodard, worked at the same care facility in Austinburg, Ohio. Joshua had been taught by Maria when he was just 9 years old, so they had a long history together.

Before she passed, Maria had one final wish: to hear her favorite song, “How Great Thou Art,” one last time. Joshua, eager to fulfill this request, grabbed his phone, pulled up the song lyrics, and sang a heartfelt rendition.

It was an extra special moment, knowing that Joshua had been Maria’s student so many years ago.

As Marti Adkins Redmond, a hospice worker, put it: “Hospice workers are angels, but this hospice aide is special. Maria taught voice and piano in her day, and Joshua Woodard was one of her students as a kid. Special people, hospice workers are!”

A simple, beautiful gesture of love that touched everyone involved.