My mother is now 92 and can be rather hard to deal with especially when she has a condition that needs going to the ER and then being admitted into Bronson for a few days. This has happened several times in the past few years. This occurred on Friday, October 2. With my brother and I at work, at my brother's urging she called 911 and got an ambulance to take her to Bronson and got there by 1 p.m. I got there at 5:30 when I got the call that she was there. My brother came soon afterward. My mom was confused, whining and very hard to deal with once again.

We left the ER when a room was secured at 9:30 p.m. and headed to her room. By then she was even more cranky, exhausted and very hungry. With other visits in mind, I felt bad for the nurse that was to be assigned to her and frankly for my brother and me as we got her ready for her stay there overnight.

Little did we know that there was the most gentle, kind and appreciated nurse waiting for us - Michelle Harper. She welcomed my mom as if she was family. As she was getting helped by Alberta, Michelle explained each and every thing and proceeded with the kindness I haven't seen before. My brother left at 10:30, but I stayed longer to ensure everything was going to be settled and that my mother was ok. She has always been wary of strangers and this situation was filled with new people that she didn't know and she was in a most foul mood and mindset. With Michelle around I truly began to feel completely at ease myself and watched Michelle's techniques work on my mom. I couldn't believe it; again it was like a family member at her side. She explained to my mom the procedures that were ordered to see if she had a TIA. She has been hospitalized at Bronson for this in the past and at the word TIA my mom has usually exploded verbally. One of these was to be an MRI which my mom has ALWAYS refused and other various tests and blood draws.

Before I left my mom had calmed her guard and was chatting and actually enjoying her visit which I was just blown away by. Contemplating on my drive home, Michelle's bedside kindness, calming techniques and professionalism had won not only my brother and me but my mom too. I never could have believed this to have ever happened.

Saturday came and Michelle had convinced my mom to have her MRI (only a miracle could have happened to have this procedure done). I went several times to see mom on Saturday and finished the day at 10:15 p.m. Michelle is truly one of the most professional, kindest, most caring nurses I have every come in contact with. Michelle Harper deserves this DAISY Award.