The bottom fell out of Angela’s world and her heart dropped the day her husband Ralph collapsed on his job. After a battery of tests, the results were conclusive. Ralph had a rapidly growing cancer For the next five weeks, Ralph and Angela bounced between home and hospital and hospice. Through the crisis, Pastoral Care visited them often, bringing them peace, and their nurses became like family to them.

The disease drained Ralph so completely that during his last hospital visit he was no longer able to even acknowledge Angela. But on their last evening together, a tiny miracle happened. On that evening, the Cancer Coordinator and the unit chaplain found Angela sitting at Ralph’s bedside. As Angela’s heart was breaking in that moment of intense sorrow, they linked hands as the chaplain prayed, asking God to give this husband and wife one last cherished moment together.

Their last kiss and embrace was a moment of cherished comfort for Angela’s aching heart as she saw how much God cared for the love she shared with her husband. But it was more than just a tender touch, it was the touch of a caring God giving Ralph the grace to say goodbye, and her the strength to stay and savor a last kiss that will remain in her heart forever.