Most of us fret about getting 5 stars while Nikola got the whole Milky Way

[Nikola15]

This was the most unusual request I have ever had and I’m so glad I said yes. A man in his 40’s contacted me saying his wife’s cancer had taken a turn for the worse and she was now being put on hospice. She was in a hospital about 30 miles from me. Their insurance would no longer cover them in the hospital if she was on hospice but if she had a home the nurses, equipment, etc. would all be covered. He tried other rental options but they all wanted first, last and a lease. Then his son in law mentioned Airbnb and that’s how he found me. This was his first booking so I called Airbnb because it all sounded a little crazy. They assured me he was who he said he was. He booked for a whole month even though he thought it might only be week. 

The medical equipment arrived on a Friday but the family didn’t get here until Monday evening. I gave them a lot of space and they were very self sufficient. During this time we had the power turned off by PGE for 4 days and they managed to get a generator on their own to keep things going. Gradually family members left until it was just the man and his wife with hospice nurses coming every day. On about their 8th day here I could tell the husband had grown weary and was not sure how much longer he could hold out.

He was losing the love of his life. I had gone down to visit the wife a couple times and she was nothing short of an angel. She was so happy to be out of the hospital environment and in a home surrounded by nature with deer visiting daily.

That night I was on my way to check in on them and stopped to stare up at the Milky Way. It was brighter than usual and seemed to go on into infinity. Just then he came outside and confirmed she had died. He was sobbing, shaking from the cold and the shock.

We hugged tightly under the Milky Way, the Highway to Heaven, for a long time.

I will never forget this family of angels and am grateful for this unique opportunity. I opened my home to them. They opened their hearts to me.

[Title updated]

[Nikola15]

Yes, even with such a high tech platform as Airbnb what’s really happening in homes all over the world is people are coming together, sharing a meal, sharing stories and proving yes, we all CAN get along. Contrary to what you might hear on the news. 

[Wende2]

@Nikola15  I was with my mom in a nursing home when she passed, I swear I watched her soul leave her body.  What you did for these folks, I don't think you realize what a Blessing you were to them.  To know they'd be right there for her passing, not miss a minute of time havng to travel to her side, an saying a prayer that she last long enough to get there in time.  When I got the call I asked the nurse to whisper in her ear that I would be there asap, as I had to wait for my daughter to get home since I was her babysitter for my grandson.  About an hr later I was by her side, whispering in her ear that if she was ready to go, Please go that I'd be ok, an my brothers would be fine.  I don't think it was 2 mins later I heard that sound, the one everyone says is the last bit of breathe leaving the body, I seen a shimmer off her body, like a hot rd on a summer day, I'll never forget that.  The people you graciously welcoming into your home will never forget you.

[Kira32]

@Nikola15 Blessings to you little twinkle star. 

I  think they'll never forget you after this beautiful experience you gave them. 

Big hugs are coming your way!

[Nikola15]

Hugs so you as well...

[Susan1028]

This post touched my heart.  Thank YOU for being an Angel @Nikola15 .

I’ve lived both sides of the experience you describe.  The gift you gave is sacred and priceless. Thank you.

Hosting is so much more than a providing bed and some coffee. We touch peoples lives, and we choose how we do so every day.  

I created my space as a “sanctuary” from worldly cares, a beautiful sacred nurturing space where Love lives, and the deer curl up with their fawns beneath the Apple tree.

Marriage proposals, anniversaries, babymoons, birthdays, and the reunification of found siblings have been celebrated here and folks have also come for safe nurturing space to grieve deep loss and heal and re-vision life after hardship...a place to reconnect with heart, soul, nature, and each other, which is our True Home...and also a place within each of us.

Thank you for honoring us with your share, and for being You!

[Nikola15]

Thank you!  You expressed exactly how I feel about hosting. Your place looks and sounds amazing!

[Hollie6]

Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story....he's blessed to have had you by his side. You are the angel. Blessings to you

[Marie21]

@Nikola15  you are an Angel

[G-C-R-M0]

@Nikola15  - AMAZING story! You are truly an amazing host, and what a beautiful, loving guest couple!
You deserve the whole universe!!  I am glad the world still has people like you.

[Linda1213]

This beautiful and soulful story brought tears to my eyes. True humanity. Thank you.

[Zappa0]

They need to feature this in Airbnb mag..

[Zappa0]

maybe without guest names though. beautiful story

[Nikola15]

Yes, I wonder how they would handle doing a story like that. Before I posted this here I looked for other conversations to join but there were none. And when I called Airbnb before these guests arrived they had nothing to compare it with. One of my long term guests upstairs asked if I would need to “disclose” to others the event that took place in that room. He was just curious. I said no. I’ve done some energy clearing in there including letting my 3 little dogs run around in there which is not usually permitted. 

[Paul450]

Thank you for sharing such a beautiful, wonderful story and experience.  It was very moving.

I hesitate to add the following as I certainly don't want to discourage anyone from also providing a comfortable environment for a loved one's passing.

In California, state law requires that if someone has died in a home for sale within the preceding three years, it must be disclosed to the buyer.  The San Francisco housing market is so hot that it probably wouldn't matter or have an impact on sale price in this situation, but in a slower market, it might affect salability and price.  The laws of your own state/country will undoubtably vary.  It would be a good idea to know local disclosure laws before renting out your home for this noble purpose.

[Nikola15]

I’m guessing this was a once in a lifetime experience and I went on intuition before getting legal advice but .... I hear you. I don’t plan to sell in the next 3 years and I don’t think I need to mention this in the details of the room. I bet a lot of homes have had this event at some time. Thanks for  sharing.