I am once again at a complete loss for words. Over the last nine weeks you have had under your care the gentlest person I know. She is the glue that ties our family together. She is the backbone of steel that can offer the most comforting embrace. She is my mom and she means the world to me.
It was nine weeks ago this morning that we first set eyes on you. And nine weeks ago (VERY EARLY) this morning that you first welcomed my mom into your unit. Over the past 63 days you have become part of our family. And we all feel that you have let us into YOUR family in a very real way. You have laughed with us and cried with us. You have hugged us and offered encouraging words. You have called on days off to check in on Mom. You have stayed late and stopped by just see how she is doing. You care. You care in a very real and personal way. This is not just a paycheck for you. This is your life and your heart and we are forever grateful. You tell us that we are a special family, and whenever I hear that, I reply with the simple fact that so very much of who we are as a family comes from Mom and her quiet spirit.
You have saved her life. Literally. There was no better place for her to be. Last night as I thanked you and we hugged, both with tears in our eyes, I felt overcome with thankfulness for the healing space she has been in and the love that each of you has shown her.
Today she moves on. She’s graduating on to Rehab. We will miss you so very much. It will feel foreign to walk down the hospital corridor and not take the elevator up to the fourth floor. I have no doubt that I will show up in your unit on autopilot at least a few times. I also have no doubt that you will continue to check in on Mom when she is in rehab.
Thank you. Thank you for my mom.
7 Comments, Comment or Ping
Nurses make the world a better place. I’m convinced of that. Soooo glad they took such great care of your mom….and you, Dane and Sarah.
But also? YAY on graduating to rehab.
July 1st, 2010
It takes a special person to become a nurse! I am sure that they will be more than happy to have you come by for a visit.
I am so happy to hear that your mom has moved to rehab.
July 1st, 2010
First? Yay on moving on to rehab.
Second? Nurses are a special breed, especially ones that choose that area to work in. It really does take a special kind of person to do that job.
Third? I’m totally crying right now, having read this.
July 2nd, 2010
Your mom asked me today whether you had made any new blog posts on kids and I just read this. I had to stop and compose myself numerous times as I read it out loud to her. You captured the amazing Burn Center nurses perfectly!
July 10th, 2010
Oh god Liz, I’ve been wondering about your mom, and you, and your family. Hoping against hope that she was doing better and moving on. I’m SO relieved to find out that she’s moving out of the burn unit and into rehab. SO thankful. What a relief!
Nurses are indeed wonderful people. There were nurses I came to know in just the 2 weeks I was in Anchorage with my mom, who encouraged me and hugged me and brought me treats to help me through it all. I felt so alone up there, and the nurses really helped.
So glad your mom has been in such good hands.
July 10th, 2010
I’m so glad to hear that your mom has moved up to Rehab! I share your feelings about nurses — my mom was in the hospital for two weeks recently and now she is in Rehab, too, though she’ll be going back to the hospital soon. The nurses are what can make a terrible experience that tiny bit less terrible because they care so much.
July 15th, 2010
Every chance I meet a nurse or a soon to be nurse or really anyone in the medical profession I always go on and on about how I am reminded with every experience where I’ve had a procedure minor or major, how wonderful nurses are. They make me ache to change careers to be that person for someone else.
It sounds like your mom has been in some very loving and skilled hands. Truly they saved her.
HUGS
July 16th, 2010
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