The Sweetest Gift: Muffins, Music, and Meaning in Hospice Care
“I wish I had called you sooner.”
It’s the most common thing we hear from families after they’ve been in our care. At Hospicare, patients and their loved ones receive so much more than expert medical support. They’re surrounded by a compassionate team—nurses, social workers, grief counselors, and trained volunteers—who offer comfort, guidance, and a listening ear. The earlier families call, the greater the impact we can have. And sometimes, that impact shows up in the most unexpected and beautiful ways.
For Jonathon, hospice has meant more than just comfort care—it’s given him the chance to keep making a difference. When his Hospicare volunteer, Steven, asked what was most important to him in this season of life, Jonathon didn’t hesitate. He wanted to help others.
Steven has been a Hospicare volunteer for over two years, inspired by his mother’s own work in hospice. “Every patient is different,” he shared. “It’s a privilege to be invited into someone’s life at such a vulnerable and important time. I never take it for granted.”
To Steven, flexibility and compassion are at the heart of volunteering. “Patients and families may not always know what to expect from a volunteer, but we’re here to meet them where they are. Whether that’s running errands, offering companionship, or helping repair a cabinet—we’re here to help in whatever way we can.”
Jonathon’s story is a reminder that hospice isn’t just about dying—it’s also about living with purpose. And sometimes, the smallest gestures—like a fresh-baked muffin—can make the biggest impact.
That shared goal turned into something special. With Steven’s support, Jonathon began baking batches of homemade muffins each week. Together, they package and deliver them to local mutual aid cabinets throughout Tompkins County—small community pantries stocked with food for anyone in need. They also shop for groceries to restock the shelves and, in one case, even repaired a broken cabinet door. Of course, every batch of muffins is taste-tested before it goes out.
“Helping others has always been a part of Jonathon’s life,” said Steven. “This was a way for him to continue that—something meaningful we could do together.”
The pair has also made it their mission to explore as many local hiking trails as possible. One favorite? The Upper Gorge Trail at Robert H. Treman State Park, where they hiked to the base of Lucifer Falls. Whether walking wooded paths or heading out to deliver muffins, there’s always music playing in the car—jazz, reggae, classical, rock—something different every week.