Yesterday morning, I believe about 1.50 am God lifted his face to my Grandmother as she began her journey home. She is now at peace and with my Grandfather who started his journey home with God about 5 months ago. As you can imagine, to lose two Grandparents within a 5 month period is quite difficult.
Before I begin to tell you details of one of your staff, please let me share with you some insight about our family...
My Grandparents met during the war. My Grandfather was from America but had a strong connection to Sicily as that is where his parents were from. My Grandmother was born and raised in Australia. They met, fell in love, married and about a year later my wonderful Father was born. My Grandfather returned to the war and eventually America while my Grandmother and Father stayed behind in Australia. I believe when my Father was about 3, they boarded a boat and began their venture to America. My Grandfather was 1 of I believe 10 children who all lived in Bloomfield and my Grandmother was just 1, an only child. My Grandfather was raised by 2 Sicilian immigrants with a strong sense of family and my Grandmother lost both her parents when she was about 18. Stories have been told that my Grandmother was raised quite well-Nanny, maids and financially not much care. After my Father was born, they had 3 daughters. They raised my Father and his sisters with values they knew-strong ethics, strong work and strong family! My Grandmother never really accepted America as home, but she was truly and lovingly accepted into the family! Her white skirts and blouses and beautiful blonde hair and fair lovely skin were sometimes second to Italian meals, pasta and the general smoke and filth of Pittsburgh these many years ago. However, their love was strong and their commitment to family was unconditional! As my Father became a young man, he too fell in love. The wonderful woman he met was my Mother. They fell in love around the age of 15-16 and were married by 19 and have been married ever since. My Father went to Vietnam and with God's grace returned home safe! I was born in 1969. I am 1 of 1, an only child. When I think of my Grandparents I think of many things, but the main thing that comes to mind is what they stood for-Respect, Equality, Being Proud to be a part of the Family History, Immigrants and above all-speaking your mind and standing tall as you do it! Were they loud-yes! Was my Grandfather tough at times-yes! But above all, their love gave me my Father (on his Birthday-what a glorious day!) and that has given me 41 years of just wonderful! I have amazing parents that have prepared me for the World! My parents raised me with strong family values too-lots of good communication and family and self respect. Growing up, we would discuss everything. My parents always said "be it right or wrong, it is your opinion! Speak it proud but with respect and manners!" - I now am married and have 2 children, both boys. They are very close to my parents and have been very blessed to know their Great Grandparents. The life lessons that my parents have taught, I too will instill in my boys. I can only hope that my husband and I will give our boys the loving memories that my parents have given me! Unfortunately my boys are of young age and they now know that with glory to life, comes death...
How does any of the above come in to play as I compliment Rachel Nechyba? It is very simple. She was given a family situation to deal with and she handled it just perfectly! She did not know much about us and she did not know who belonged to who. Yet she could feel they family bond and she could think ahead and see the sadness was coming. To elaborate, Saturday evening, my Father, Mother and I were told that the end might be near and my Grandmother might be moved from ICU. Our shock and sadness and fear was overshadowed a bit by our emotions. My precious Father just lost his Father and now his Mother is next??? Rachel handled this situation with a grace and style that I think maybe only the medical community could appreciate. Take control, she did, but her actions were fueled with a true caring for my Father and our family. With her medical expertise, her big heart and her assertiveness mixed with compassion, she was able to assist in keeping my Grandmother in ICU, keeping her comfortable and most important, giving my Father and our family more time with my Grandmother. For this, I will always be ever so grateful! I could write on and on and attempt to give you medical details about my Grandmothers health/condition, but I feel those details can be read in her chart. What you need to fully understand is you truly have an Angel working there and she must be recognized!
How does one thank someone for making the passing of a life easier? How do you say to someone thank you for helping us to keep faith as someone is leaving our Earth as we know it? How do you say thanks for making it possible to spend a few more hours with a loved one??? Basically, how do you say to someone "Thanks for helping me to watch my Grandmother die" - I don’t think there is card for this... I have to say, Rachel’s personality, her professionalism and at times, her humor, really made a very sad situation very nice and very peaceful. If my Grandfather were still alive, he would be ever so proud of my Father for expressing his opinions, sharing his thoughts and keeping a close eye on my Grandmother. He also would be ever so impressed with Rachel's assertiveness and willingness to go that extra mile!
Rachel Nechyba is a very special talented individual that I highly respect and admire and that should count for something. I also hope and pray that I will not be faced with this situation again anytime soon. However, if I am, may I please request Rachel stand by me and keep me strong once more.