Some stories stay with you long after the words fade. And for hospice nurse Julie McFadden, those stories have shaped one simple belief: death is not something to fear.

Julie has spent years sitting beside people in their final moments. What she has witnessed—quiet visions, peaceful transitions, and moments no science can fully explain—has changed the way she sees the end of life.

One of her most unforgettable patients was Randy, a young man facing pancreatic cancer. They spent months talking about everything—childhood memories, military life, and the big questions no one escapes. Even with support from the hospice team, Randy feared what lay ahead.

But during his final hours, something remarkable happened.
After Julie whispered her goodbye, she stepped outside to gather herself. And then she heard Randy’s voice—clear and joyful—in her mind. “Oh my gosh, Julie… I can’t believe how good it is.”
It lasted seconds, yet filled her with overwhelming peace. Moments later, her phone buzzed: Randy had passed.

That experience stayed tucked away for a long time, but it became one of the reasons Julie no longer dreads death. She still relies on science. But she honors the mystery too.

Julie has seen other moments that defy logic. A woman who seemed hours from dying woke up cheerful and eating pancakes the next day—and lived three more months. Another time, Julie sensed a powerful presence by a patient’s bedside, something she could only describe as an “angel,” though not the type seen on greeting cards.

Again and again, patients share visions of loved ones, beautiful light, or peaceful destinations. Families hear final words that feel like gifts.

Julie doesn’t claim to have all the answers. But she knows this: most people leave this world gently, comforted, and far less afraid than we imagine.