Our Guests’ courage and faith never fail to touch our hearts. Guests like Mary, who came to us with Stage 4 endometrial cancer. At age 73, Mary lived alone in San Antonio’s Monte Vista neighborhood. She knew she was dying and didn’t want to be a burden on anyone – especially her nieces, who were busy with their families and careers. But Mary could no longer live alone.

Her hospice team brought Mary to ABODE, where we provided the 24/7 care she needed. Family members visited regularly – her best friend from MacArthur High School barely left her side. Mary didn’t have to worry about anything – she could just focus on experiencing a peaceful death. Nine days later, Mary died knowing how much she was loved and cared for – and how much she would be missed.

Other Guests come to us with no family and few, if any, friends. We become their family and friends – and they become ours. Since December 2014, we’ve cared for close to 200 very diverse Guests, including veterans from all branches of the military. All are welcome at ABODE. We do not charge our Guests for our services – nor do we charge insurance or accept government support. We operate solely on donations and grants.

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.