William R. lived in a well-kept ranch style home, nestled on a sprawling piece of land east of Winchester. On a crisp, sunny December morning, I made my first visit to this gentleman, already well known to most of his hospice team. As we approached the front door, greeted by the distinctive squawking of chickens nearby on the property, I mentally reviewed what I had earlier read about the man I would meet inside. Under [...]

Chief Emeritus Selby Jacobs, now an in-home patient of Blue Ridge Hospice, got his wish of one last ride in a fire truck on Thursday. Wearing his uniform and riding shotgun in the Orkney Springs Fire Engine, Jacobs was joined by his daughter, Melissa Young, his Blue Ridge Hospice care team, and members of the Orkeny Springs, Shenandoah County, and Conicville Fire and Rescue Stations. “Our job is to leave the world a little better [...]

Yesterday, Mr. Underwood wasn’t hardly awake but this morning when the Blue Ridge Hospice CNA came to clean him up with a fresh shave and dress him in his military uniform he was bright-eyed. His only wish in these final weeks was to renew his wedding vows with his wife of 60 years. Billy and Pat’s three daughters were all present as well as other relatives that came from as far as South Carolina for [...]