There are not enough words to explain how thankful we are that you were a part of K's journey. While our thoughts of his time in the hospital contain some difficult memories, we also have thoughts of how well-cared for he was, especially when he was in your hands. You will always be remembered as a light in a time of darkness in our lives. Your kindness and attentive care to him during the most vulnerable time of his life speaks volumes to not only what kind of nurse you are but to who you are as a person.

It was a great relief to know that our loved one was in the hands of someone capable and loving who advocated for the very best for him. We often feel comforted by the level of care he received, as we know you all left no stone unturned in a very complex situation. While our minds find reassurance in knowing UTMC provided top-notch medical care, our hearts will always hold on to the small things you specifically did that made this journey just a little bit easier. Thank you for answering our many questions. Your knowledge of your specialty is obvious, and we will always be grateful for your honest and detailed explanations at a time when we needed them most.

Thank you for providing some normal conversations and humor in moments when we needed a little breather. Thank you for your mastery of the many meds, labs, machines, numbers, etc.- but for also taking the time to make him comfortable. We always knew when Jamie was there that he would be set up with fresh sheets, clean dressings, his lines organized, and comfortable pillows all around him. We know that despite being in the hospital, this provided him with a sense of dignity that he would thank you for today if he could.

Thank you for talking to him throughout the long days. We know that he will remember hearing our voices but that he will also remember finding comfort in hearing yours before every turn, poke, or procedure. Thank you for your calm demeanor, which was often the anchor grounding us when everything around us was falling apart. Thank you for being there during some of his last moments.Thank you for giving us some normalcy in the ICU by thinking about playing music during those moments. It was with your guidance that we were able to allow his body to transition to rest peacefully. There are a million things that come to our minds to thank you for, but we hope you know that we will always hold you near and dear in our hearts. We wish that you could have known K before he had gotten so sick. His laughter, jokes, and orneriness are all things we will remember most about him. We hope you saw glimpses of his personality as well, even if it was with head nods and raised eyebrows. We plan to keep his memory alive by speaking often of him and his life, and we are thankful that you will now always be a part of those conversations. Keep being the brilliant, confident, and loving Jamie that we got to see; the world needs more of it. We hope this gives you a reminder of all the lives you've touched every time you hear it, including K's.