Not many people can say this, but at the age of 21, my job had changed my life.

Working in geriatric care, I do my best to deliver to the needs and love of each resident - day in and day out. I do the best I can with a big heart and smile, but sometimes, I may forget why I am there as I become so consumed by the fast-paced demands of those that need me.

Then, a pleasant reminder came along last week. I returned to work after being at school for months, participating in the whole process of life and "putting the nose to the grindstone". Traditionally, I never consciously rejoiced in my life, I just made the most of it– appreciative as always of course.

I was thrown on a cart of residents I knew too well with the exception of a few new people that I had never met. The night was going smoothly until 4:30 AM when I went to answer a call from a new resident that I had never met. It seemed routine as I performed care, but when the resident sat back down - things were off, and I immediately called for help.

As the other giving servants of coworkers arrived, it was evident - the process was happening. For the first time in my job, I was witnessing what I hoped I never would– a human being who had made decades of impact in this world, transfer from humanity to eternity, the passing on from mortal life to afterlife.

It was a new experience, but an experience that I had to remind myself is natural. Internally, I was shaking, as I held this resident's hand, simply wishing he was pain-free as his soul was in the process of leaving his body and zooming north through the golden gates. I had a thousand thoughts run through my head, but I just prayed. I held onto that hand and prayed in hope and honor of him - life in and of itself - it’s all I could do.

Skipping events, work went on, but with motivated and renewed purpose, bumps still lined my skin. My heart was touched and my reality was checked.

The next day I arrived at work to a letter from a family member I had met that night. Tearfully, I offered my condolences to her. The letter reads:

“Dear Christopher,

I would like to thank you so much for being with my Dad last night.

It made my family so happy that he was with someone as he passed.

The interesting thing is that our brother, who died 4 years ago was also named Christopher.

Thank you again, sweet angel.

Love,

(name I will withhold)”

#TouchedByAnAngel