The Med-Surg 5 team wanted to ease their colleague's recovery after surgery. Her colleagues, in anticipation of making sure her home was ready for her when she was released from the hospital, went to the house and discovered that critical repairs and updates were needed immediately to ensure her safety and wellbeing. From their own personal funds, sweat equity, and expertise, the team came together to not only work on the repairs but also offered their colleague a place to stay while the repairs were made, including making the bathroom ADA compliant. What struck me was the selfless initiative to extend a hand of love and friendship to a colleague in need in a substantial and tangible way that will make big difference in her safety and comfort when she returns home. The team collected $1,000 dollars that were matched by the Sunshine Fund for a total of $2,000 to go directly to her. She will have a safe place to live.
This act of love and care reminds me of the words from the Gospel of Matthew 25| 36, 40:
'I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit me,
I was in prison and you clothed me...
...Whenever did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me--you did it to me.'
This is not an isolated incident, as earlier this year when a colleague passed, the team gathered to honor her. The care, the compassion, the team's resourcefulness, and generosity to a friend in need merits their recognition.