My wife came to Community South to deliver our first child this past week. We had fertility issues and this delivery was the end of a long 3 year journey for us. Once we arrived, my wife had a long time in induction and was really struggling while we waited for our little P to make her appearance. Finally, she was delivered late Saturday night. But, we were both still stressed and coping as we became new parents. 

I believe that sometimes in life the perfect person, shows up at the perfect time, in the perfect situation. Holly was that person for us. The next day P was jaundiced and my wife was doubting herself as new mother. I tried my best to console her but there is only so much a new dad can do to convince their wife they are doing great. Holly filled a void that only a wonderful nurse and mother can fill. She was so patient with my wife. When my wife became overwhelmed with everything, Holly gave her the kind of hug that I could never provide. She told my wife that she was a great mother and that everything was going to be ok. I am so grateful for that moment, she connected with my wife in a way that I could never. Holly was so busy that day, she probably had a million things on her list to do in that moment but she took the time to make sure my wife was ok. She made her ok. 

I try to not to tell anyone when I am in the hospital so I doubt Holly knew it but I have been a nurse for 10 years I have worked with a lot of nurses and what she she was able to do with my wife is uncommon. Holly is not a good nurse, she is the best kind of nurse there is. She was smart, a great communicator, and present when we needed her. But that doesn't make her a nurse deserving of this award. What makes her worth recognizing is the kind of connection she made with my wife. She did it so effortlessly and so genuinely that she immediately took my wife from anxious and self-doubting to confident and calm. Not everyone can do what she did, it takes a special kind of nurse to not only recognize how much my wife was struggling but to take the time to get her to where she needed to be. 

I hope that Holly receives the recognition that she deserves. This unique level of love and care should be celebrated. She is an asset to our community, and every family that is fortunate enough to receive care will leave your hospital so grateful that their journey was made easier by such an Extraordinary Nurse.