The sisters wore corsages for their evening out. / Photo courtesy of Tri-Cities Chaplaincy.
When most people hear the word ‘hospice’, they think of the very end: crisis, decline, and goodbyes. But at Tri-Cities Chaplaincy, we’ve seen a very different reality unfold for patients who choose hospice care early. They not only gain access to comfort and support, but they also get something profoundly meaningful: the chance to set goals and work toward them.
Now, these aren’t usually ‘bucket list’ goals like skydiving or climbing a mountain. They’re often simpler but far more powerful — enjoying one last holiday surrounded by family, reconnecting with an estranged friend, or leaving something special behind for a grandchild. When hospice care begins before a crisis, there’s room for peace, intention, and joy.
For example, one of our patients in 2023 had a close bond with her caregiver and confided in her about a wish that weighed heavily on her heart. She simply wanted to enjoy a nice evening out with her five sisters, one last time.
Her simple wish sparked a wave of action. We wanted to give the sisters a special day together, and our team rallied to make it happen. They reserved a private table at Fiction @ J. Bookwalter, arranged transportation through TC Black, scheduled hair and makeup sessions for all six women, and even helped them find gowns for the evening.
It wasn’t just a dinner; it was a day of pampering, laughter, and connection. That evening, they shared a fabulous meal, told stories, and giggled like they had in their younger years. They created a memory they would all carry with them.
That single wish inspired the creation of our Patient Wish Fund, which our care teams can access to make similar moments possible for other patients. Patients’ wishes are often as simple as wanting to re-read a favorite childhood book series, or listen to a soundtrack from their youth. These aren’t bucket list items; they are soul-nourishing care. Providing them to our patients reminds them that they are seen, heard, and valued.
But none of this is possible without time. When patients and families reach out to hospice early on, we have the chance to build trust, to listen, and to learn what really matters to them. We become part of their lives — not just caregivers, but partners in honoring the wishes of our patients and their families.
Hospice isn’t just about dying. It’s about living as fully as possible with dignity, comfort, and celebration. And, sometimes, it’s about a dinner out with your sisters in gowns and lipstick, laughing over wine, and holding hands as the sun sets.
Because those are the moments that matter most.
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A heartfelt thank you to the community partners that made the 2023 Ladies Night Out possible: TC Black, Fiction @ J. Bookwalter, Breshears Photography, and Katey Nivens.
This was the moment it all clicked for me.
When I joined Tri-Cities Chaplaincy, I was drawn to the mission to increase the quality of life in our community. Even though I wasn’t a hospice or healthcare expert, I immediately felt like the organization aligned with my values and aspirations. As I began working, I learned about our programs, saw the impact, and understood the services. But I hadn’t yet felt the magic of the mission.
Then this project came up — one patient’s simple wish for a “ladies night out” with her sisters. I watched as our team and community partners stepped up, each one contributing time, resources, and heart. Suddenly, I wasn’t just learning about the mission, I was living it.
And when I finally met those sisters — saw their joy, heard their laughter, felt their deep love for one another — I understood. That night was more than an event. It was a perfect expression of what hospice care should be: comfort, connection, and dignity. It was love made visible.
This is what I want people to think of when they hear the word ‘hospice’ — not just the end of life, but a space where you can be surrounded by your favorite people — where memories are made, fears are softened, and hearts are full.
Tri-Cities Chaplaincy provides compassionate hospice, palliative, and grief care, helping people live their best lives. Instagram: @tricitieschaplaincy
