My grandmother had a wonderful, love-filled 94 years of life and was blessed to be in great health until her 93rd year. She was admitted to hospice in January 2009 and passed away 8 months later. Extraordinary Caregivers You would have thought they grew up right beside us, calling my grandma Miss Kate or Katie like she loved. They would go out of their way to throw a few rollers in her hair (outside of beauty shop day!!). I would watch them lovingly rub lotion into her dry legs, smoothing her hair back when she was in bed. Just tons of loving touches every day. Honestly, I’ve always been scared of the word hospice. During my grandma’s final hours, I was fortunate enough to be with her. The staff, without my asking, moved the other woman in the room so we could have privacy during her last night. They made up a bed for me. They brought me coffee, made sure I was OK. They even gave me hugs throughout the night. When she passed the next morning, I was holding her hand. The ladies cried with me. We rejoiced grandma’s time while there, how she even made others smile and laugh while she was nearing the end. They gave me privacy to say goodbye to her. They didn’t rush into the “formal process.” They even brought me a tray filled with fruit, muffins and beverages to try to offer sympathy. The friends grandma made there are wonderful ladies, each unique in their own problems, but all full of love. I made new “grandma’s” while visiting my grandma there, and will still be back to see them even though grandma is no longer with us. My life has been changed by this experience. I am going to look for ways to volunteer time to help those other special people feel love before they go. I will never, ever be scared of the word hospice again.