Maria is an exceptional nurse. I met her the first day my father was brought to the eighth floor. She was truly kind to him while providing great care. The three days immediately following my father’s stroke were certainly a very difficult and stressful time for my family. I can easily say I am the one who witnessed the most from the variety of nurses and doctors who cared for my dad.

As things progressed, we went from a sense of “hope” that he might recover to the difficult process of acceptance that he most likely would pass away when he developed a fever and pneumonia. When we had questions or concerns, Maria was the one who could truly sense our uncertainty and uneasiness about the overload of information we were hearing and took extra time to explain things to us. To be honest, Maria was the one caregiver during this entire process who earned our trust. When we left the hospital, it was Maria who walked us out, pushing the wheelchair for my mom. We hugged and when she left, she slipped a piece of paper into my hand. I got into the car, read the quote, and cried. It was a perfect and touching message. I kept that note in my pocket that whole week until my father’s funeral was over to remind myself of the message. This note has its place on my bedside table now so I can read it every night before going to sleep.

Maria not only took outstanding care of my father; she made certain the care and excellent communication she provided included his family members. Maria found a way to provide the trust and compassion necessary to help us feel confident that we were making the right decisions that honored my father’s wishes and kept him as comfortable as possible. I can confidently say that Maria was my “earth angel” through what was certainly the most heartbreaking thing I have ever experienced.