At the children’s hospice, a towering, tattooed biker known as Monster spends every Tuesday riding a tiny pink tricycle down the halls, making dying kids laugh. Though some parents find his appearance intimidating and even filed complaints, many others wrote heartfelt letters describing how he brought their children joy in their final days. Monster started volunteering after losing his grandson, promising to help other children feel like superheroes instead of patients.

When I became the new hospice director, I watched Monster interact with the kids—letting them climb on him, play, and forget their pain for a moment. Parents who’d seen their children light up in Monster’s presence begged for him to stay. He told me about his grandson, Tommy, and how he honors each child he loses by tattooing a star over his heart with their name, ensuring they’re never forgotten.

After reviewing the complaints and seeing the overwhelming gratitude from grieving families, I told Monster he would never be banned. Slowly, most parents who questioned him changed their minds after seeing how much happiness he brought. Those who didn’t left the hospice, but the children who stayed got to spend their last days laughing, playing, and being loved by a man who treated them like they mattered.

Monster’s devotion has now inspired a nationwide movement called Tommy’s Riders—bikers who volunteer in children’s hospices across the country. With over a hundred stars on his chest and decades of service, Monster continues to honor every child he meets. He can’t save their lives, but he makes their final moments beautiful, reminding them they’re loved, remembered, and never alone.