Norma was a volunteer at an inpatient unit at a Chicagoland hospital. There she met Helen, a newly admitted patient. The two quickly discovered their mutual love for music by Verdi. Both considered La Traviata their favorite opera.

When Helen was transferred to a home care team, Norma kept in contact by telephone and also sent Helen a book about Verdi.

Weeks later, Norma received a call from Helen’s husband informing her that Helen was back in the inpatient unit. Her condition was declining. Norma arrived at Helen’s bedside that evening and the two spoke briefly. The next evening, Norma saw that Helen’s condition had visibly worsened.

Norma had just received a new collection of music by Verdi. She played the tape at Helen’s bedside and gently held her friend’s hand. The music was transforming. Helen opened her eyes, winked her approval of the songs and kept beat to the music with the index finger of her left hand.

As the song Paradiso played, Norma noticed tears trickling down Helen’s face. Norma said she would turn off the music if it made her sad, but Helen, barely able to speak, said “Oh no! Not sad; joyful!” When the VITAS nurse entered the room, Helen told her she had just heard “the most beautiful concert.”

Norma brought a tape of La Traviata the next evening. Helen kept her eyes closed throughout the opera, yet it was obvious to Norma that Helen was listening and enjoying. As the music ended, Helen reached for Norma’s hand, brought it to her mouth and kissed it.

“I’m ready,” Helen said and thanked Norma for the gift of music. The next morning Helen died peacefully.