Perri was the first-night shift caregiver and she instantly seemed to be my very own "Angel" to watch over me. I had come from the main hospital's 2nd floor ICU unit on Sunday. I was truly exhausted and still feeling confused, uncertain as to why I was even at the hospital yet. She gave me a sense of "it's going to be okay". She gave me my meds and did what a nurse does. Right! No; more! She helped me by listening and caring. I didn't need to see her smile; I could see it in her eyes as I gazed into them.
Still feeling panicked from an event that had taken place that morning in the ICU unit I was in, Perri listened, she didn't judge or discharge the fact that I had to talk to someone. She had no clue as to what I had watched unfold that morning. When I looked into her sparkling eyes all I could see is a huge-hearted person that listed and understood. I just needed to tell someone how I was feeling. I truly thought I was going nutty and she seemed to keep me grounded that night and three more following that.
I couldn't sleep. I would close my eyes or be in the dark room and start seeing things flash before me. I spoke to her as I kept the TV on and the bathroom light on. I observed her as she went about her kind ways being reflected outside of my room that night. She was helping a young man learn the starting of being a caregiver. She was patient, showed kindness and direction to this young man with poise and grace about her.
Our paths may never pass again but that first night and three following that, put lasting footprints in my heart forever. I will speak of her with my family and friends forever. I will speak of her passion for her love to help others. She's modest and caring without having to be patted on her back because she did an act of kindness. I thanked her each morning as she left for home. She always said, "That's okay, I love my job." She is a healer and a nurse in her second job I believe. She will live on for 100 plus decades in each one's mind as I grew to feel about her.