It's been 6 weeks to the day that we first met Millie that night after my mom, my brother and I had sat in the waiting room for 6.5 hours praying, wondering, and hoping everything was okay with dad. I kept coming here to the SICU seeing if he was out yet. Finally, that moment had come he was out of surgery and having some complications, but she assured me everything was okay to go get some rest. I don't pretend to know the ins and outs of her job, or the extremely long list of duties that end up falling under her job description.
I'm sure many of those duties Millie excitedly and knowingly signed up for, and that some of them feel like the kind of absolute torture she wouldn't wish on her worst enemy. I could never fathom the intense amount of physical, emotional, and mental strain this job causes her every day, and I can only imagine the range of emotions she feels on a day-to-day basis, often in one shift or even in one hour. My dad being one of those!
Millie had honestly been there since day one with us. We are beyond grateful for the amazing care she provided our dad. She stood by our side when we felt like the weight of the world was on our shoulders. She is more than a nurse to me. She is a teacher, a friend, a wonderful caregiver for her patients and for that I'm thankful there are people like her in the world. Now you're all more like family and will forever have a special place in our hearts.