Working as a hospice chaplain at The Collins House has been one of the most profound and humbling experiences of my life. Hospice care has a way of stripping life down to what really matters most in life: love, family, faith, memories, and peace. In that quiet house, where time often feels slower and more sacred, I have had the privilege of sitting alongside many patients during some of the most honest, vulnerable, and intimate moments they will have ever experienced.

Many people assume that hospice work is always full of much sadness. While grief is certainly present, and there is sadness at times, what I encounter more often is courage and resilience. Patients frequently reflect on their lives with remarkable clarity. Most want to tell stories about their upbringing, their marriage, raising children, the work they did, and things that brought them immense joy in their lives. Some wrestle with deeper spiritual questions such as forgiveness, regret, hope, or what lies beyond death. My role is not to provide all the answers but to listen, to pray when invited, and to create safe and non-judgmental space for people to speak openly about the things that matter most to them.

Another meaningful aspect of this work is witnessing reconciliation between family members. It is not uncommon for family members to gather around a bedside and say things that were left unsaid for many years. Words like “I’m sorry,” “I forgive you,” “I’m here with you now”, and “I love you” carry immense power in those moments. Sometimes these conversations may bring tears, but they also bring a sense of peace and closure that settles over the room.

Silence also plays an important role in chaplaincy. Some of the most sacred moments occur when no words are spoken at all. Sitting quietly with a patient, holding a hand, offering a gentle prayer, or watching a television show with them can communicate comfort in ways that speech cannot. It is in those moments, the presence of another human being can feel like a form of grace and comfort.

Working at The Collins House has also changed how I view life itself. Being so close to the end of life reminds me daily of what truly matters in life. Academic or professional achievements, material possessions, socio-political views, busy schedules, worries and concerns that once seemed important truly begin to fade in significance. Instead, what remains are relationships, kindness, faith, humility, and the small acts of love we extend to one another in both word and deed.

Hospice chaplaincy is ultimately about accompanying people on a sacred journey. It is a privilege to walk beside these patients and their families during such a vulnerable time. Again and again, I am reminded that even in the final chapter of life, there can be profound dignity, meaning, and peace. And in serving others during those moments, I often find that I am the one who is changed the most.