Most Americans are now well versed in the Terri Schiavo case. She was the 41 year old woman who was in a persistent vegetative state for 15 years. Terri was under hospice care. Hospice provides care and comfort for people with a terminal diagnosis and a life expectancy of six months or less as determined by their primary physician. Hospice does not hasten death; rather hospice workers serve as guides for patients and families walking with them in the final days of life. Hospice staff and volunteers serve as an “instant family” as loved ones finish the final chapter in this life preparing life for their journey to a new life. The work is not easy, but the rewards are many.

At Hospice, miracles do occur every day. The miracles patients and families experience are similar to the ones many Christians hear of during holy week. On Good Friday, scripture records the dialogue between the repentant thief and Jesus. The repentant thief acknowledges his own faults and asks for forgiveness moments before he dies. Jesus responds, “You will be with me in paradise.” He does not promise to return him back to health or even turn around the horrible punishment of crucifixion. Christ promises something greater than life on earth; He promises the repentant thief a place where is there is no pain, no suffer, but life ever lasting.

These are the miracles that patients and families discover during the time they are under hospice care. Family members who were once estranged or distant come back to the fold and offer their love, their prayers, and above the comfort of their presence. The arguments and misunderstanding of old are set aside and forgotten. Sons embrace their fathers and mothers whisper to their dying children the same words they spoke when they were babes in their arms. Tears of joy and sorrow mix with laughter and moments of quiet uncertainty as they hear words of forgiveness and reconciliation.

The healing in these moments can truly be awe inspiring. Families focus on the loved one who is preparing to make the most important journey in life-the transition from life to death. Healings, not cures, are the miracles that happen every day with patients and families at hospice.

There are also heroes at hospice. The staff and volunteers who sit by the bedside of loved ones offer comfort and support every day. They lovingly wash the patients and carefully lotion their bodies while gently reminding them that they are beautiful people, loved by many. They read to the patients and speak to them as if they have been lifetime friends. In many cases, these patients and their families are with hospice for a brief period of time. When death draws closer these same staff and volunteers provide a shoulder to lean on or a hug of support for all involved.

Unless you have been involved with hospice care you really cannot appreciate how much they value life. Sanctity of life and quality of life are balanced with the patients' wishes. When these wishes are written down in the form of advance directives or in a living will, the process of death and dying seems to flow naturally. When there is no written record, the process often becomes unsettling and divisive. Everyone gets involved. Everyone offers an opinion. Uncertainty, confusion, and even hostility replace the goal of hospice-a peaceful journey for the patients.

Now that Terri Schiavo has made her journey we see as the greatest hero. We have all come to know her, and she has taught us many things. She has taught us to write down our wishes in the form of advance medical directives or a living will so we can avoid her predicament. She has taught us to focus on the person and not the illness. Perhaps her death will teach all of us to prepare ahead for the day we find ourselves traveling along the road to our peaceful journey.

Matthew P. Binkewicz is the Pastoral Care Coordinator at Hospice of the Finger Lakes, and author of the book, “Peaceful Journey: A Hospice Chaplain's Guide to End of Life.”