Each of our Guests is special and unique – though we’ve found common threads in their final days. They often ask: What did my life represent? Did I say everything I wanted to say? Did I love well? Was I loved?
Our contemplative approach to care comes into play as Guests ponder those questions. We have honed a sixth sense about nuanced changes, needs, when to engage, when to pull back and when to simply be present – because sometimes the most helpful thing we can do is simply be. ABODE is a place where Guests can find peace before they die. And we honor and celebrate them every step of the way.
Tom
We are always honored to care for our veterans – including our newest Guest, Tom, a retired Air Force Master Sergeant. Tom served in Vietnam. Here, Tom is visited by another retired Air Force vet – Colonel Hal Smarkola. They had a lovely chat and shared a crisp...
Geoff
Geoff arrived the day after his daughter Merritt married her fiance – right in Geoff’s hospital room. Knowing that Geoff was in his final phase of life, they didn’t want him to miss the festivities. In fact, this first picture shows Geoff and Merritt “dancing” in his...
Margaret
After many long bouts of cancer, Margaret passed away on a Sunday evening, with her sister and dear friend by her side. We lit our Tree of Contemplation as she entered her final phase of life. Margaret’s family and friends visited her regularly here at ABODE. She died...
Maria
Maria spent more than a week with us, and was well into her journey before passing away on a beautiful Saturday morning. Her only daughter, her best friend of many years and her nephew surrounded her and prayed for her at her bedside. It was soft and beautiful as she...
Kong
Kong was another Guest who improved dramatically under our care. If you follow us on social media or receive our email newsletters, you may recall that when he arrived at ABODE, Kong was a bit of a mystery. He understood English and Spanish, but his verbal responses...
Michael
Michael was just 60 years old when he came to ABODE and was with us a week before he died. He had two sons and two daughters. His daughters visited him daily. They were very close to him and were heartbroken to lose their dad so unexpectedly.Michael served in the...
Araceli
Every now and again, Guests come to ABODE and, with our love and care, they get better! Such was the case with Araceli. After almost two months at ABODE, Araceli moved on to more appropriate accommodations and she now lives much closer to her family. We know she is...
Christine
Christine celebrated her 92nd birthday here at ABODE with all three of her daughters by her bedside. She devoted her life to taking care of her children and grandchildren, working many jobs, often several jobs at once, to make ends meet. Now it’s our turn to help...
Charlie
Our Peach Room is now home to Charlie, 87, and her stuffed chicken – read about her love of the real kind on page 3! Charlie has had such a full life. You may recognize her from The Antler Café in Spring Branch where she worked as the manager. She enjoys watching...
Maria
When she looks at us through her beautiful eyes and long lashes, it's as if she’s staring right into our souls. Maria, 90, is in our Green Room. She’s very, very quiet and then, when we least expect it, she’ll say a few words or even a sentence. Her family visits...
Our Veterans
About 5 percent of our Guests are veterans. All branches of the service have been represented. We are grateful to Herschel Sheines and the Jewish War Veterans for their continued support of ABODE and our Veteran Guests.
We’re always especially honored when we can care for Guests who served in our military. In fact, we always place a flag representing their military branch outside their room.
