It has been just over a year since my daughter's passing. Her name was M, and she lived at Lurie's for almost 9 months. She spent her entire life within the four walls of Lurie's, never having been discharged, although we got very close. As M spent 9 months in the hospital, so did my husband and me. We were first-time parents trying to keep our sweet baby alive and were way in over our heads. Our journey was not easy, it was not filled with smiles or laughter every day. To put it into perspective, it was like living your worst day every day for 9 months. We saw M turn various shades of blue on numerous occasions, we saw her vitals drop to single digits, we saw her in great discomfort and pain, and ultimately we saw her take her last breath as we held her little hands and let her go.

However, despite this, we experienced small rays of sunshine during those 9 months through M's favorite nurses, Katlin, K, and Liz. These three nurses during our time at the hospital meant the world to us. We could breathe a little easier when we knew they would be on shift. We were delighted when we were told they had joined M's team, our journey got a bit more bearable and we knew our M would be well taken care of. We developed a deep trust and connection with each one of them that still stands today. Not only could we rely on that they would care for M as if she were their own child, but we knew from a medical perspective they were on their A-game. Oftentimes we would seek their counsel and advice when we felt we had hit a brick wall with the medical team. Our M was complicated, but these nurses were well attuned to M's small signals when things weren't going well. And while it may seem like a stretch to say, on many occasions they saved her life.

Liz is someone I will never forget for as long as I live. She was on shift on M's last day on earth, it couldn't have been more perfect to have her there with us. She requested to extend her shift until M had passed as she did not trust any other nurse on the night shift to care for M up to her standards. As my husband and I walked downstairs to the morgue with our daughter's lifeless body, we handed her over to Liz and tears streamed down her face as she took her and walked into the room. From what she shared with us later, she told us that she had one last snuggle with her and said a few last loving words. She went home well past 9 pm as did my husband and I; I will never forget that day and the extra care Liz showed to us and to M. Prior to M's last day and throughout our 9-month journey, my husband and I came to realize the innate gift that Liz has for nursing. While she may not think so, she truly does.

We met many nurses during those 9 months and she stood far above the rest. We consider her to be one of the most competent and hardest working nurses at Lurie's. She often would have a quick bite to eat for lunch and come right back to see her patient, we never saw her on her personal mobile checking social media, or shirking her responsibilities. She was always in the room checking on M or helping us navigate tough situations. Personally, seeing Liz in action made me self-conscious about my work ethic, sometimes you may have a bad day and perhaps operate at 80%, but Liz always gave 100% or more regardless of what was going on. She makes me want to be a better working professional, to give it my best every moment of every day.

After M's passing, we have remained in contact with M's nurses. They came for her visitation at our home as did a few of M's doctors. Due to COVID, M didn't know many people and so we don't have many people we can share memories of M with; while she is no longer with us, we feel connected to her every time we get together with the nurses. This year we celebrated M's 1 year heaven anniversary and got together at her gravesite. We shared a meal with them and shared stories about M's quirky personality. We had a good time and look forward to seeing more of them in the future.

Losing M has been the most difficult experience my husband and I have ever faced. We miss M every day and wish things would have ended differently, however in our grief, we are grateful for the nurses that helped us navigate the medical labyrinth, and did so in a loving and caring way. It would give us great joy that Katlin, K, and Liz be recognized for their outstanding service to our daughter and to many other children and their families. They are exemplary nurses and Lurie's is very fortunate to have them.