Recently, I received a call from my grandmother while at work as a KCMO police officer. My grandmother, crying, had called to say that my father had gone to the hospital via ambulance and they had told her she was needed at the ER without delay. I went to the hospital and after seeing my father could tell from my experience with my job it was dire. My father was stabilized in the ER and taken up to the ICU. My dad was found unconscious and remained so through this experience with no sedation. ​

Once up at the ICU that is where I would meet the angel who would get me through this horrific time in my life. At shift change, I had the distinct honor of getting Rachel as my father's nurse. Instantly Rachel was able to convey such confidence with her work. Rachel was empathetic in ways that exceeded what was asked of her. No matter how small the procedure was, whether changing a bandage, moving a tube, hanging an IV, administering medication Rachel said what she was doing without me having to ask. This provided a sense of comfort. I was in uniform and sitting there on the side of the room just randomly breaking down and crying. Rachel comforted the correct way. She did not seem uncomfortable with witnessing grief. Rachel allowed me time to just sit and process what was occurring in my life without disturbing the grieving process. Just her presence and constant explanation of what she was doing allowed me to feel comforted. Although signs were very prevalent that my dad was severely brain damaged, she still talked to my dad and had the most tender touch after moving something. When she would pull up the blanket, she would so tenderly touch the blanket and him making sure he was nice and tucked in. ​

I went home at 2300 hours that day, and in the early morning around 0300 hours the following day, my father's blood pressure had dropped. Rachel had advocated for my dad with the doctor saving his life for the time being and contacted my grandmother to update her. ​ I had returned to the hospital around 0800 hours and met with the doctor who gave the news that my dad was in multiple organ failure, and I made the decision to end life-saving measures but wanted to watch one last Chief's game with my dad and would take him off the machines after the game.

Around the start of the Chief's game, Rachel began her shift and was our nurse again. During this time organ donation was explaining some options we had to donate from my father. Rachel, without having a specific task, had stayed in the room with us. Advocated for us by asking questions to the organ donation person on our behalf that we had no knowledge to think to ask at the horrible time. Rachel was again so kind to my father while she worked on him. Rachel was having trouble keeping my dad's blood pressure stable but was very attentive to every need he had. I had a moment when my grandma left when it was just me and her in the room. I opened up and broke down to Rachel about feeling of guilt for things I didn't get to tell my dad and Rachel listened to me and just comforted me so much. Rachel told me that you never know what they are able to hear and to tell him my feelings. I had been at the hospital for 18 hours and was terrified to leave my dad and have him die alone. But Rachel gave me a gift I could never put a price on. Although my dad was set to be removed from life support the next morning Rachel fought to keep him alive. Because of Rachel, he was comfortable, I was able to go home and sleep knowing that Rachel, our guardian angel, was keeping my dad alive for us to say goodbye. But even if he had passed, I had given Rachel a message to tell my dad for me and I knew she would have done it and not allowed my father to feel alone at his passing. ​

The next morning, a few hours after Rachel left, my dad's heart stopped just before I walked into the room. But my grandmother was already there and was sitting right next to him. I can't describe what it meant for Rachel to fight for and advocate for my father who was passed the point of saving. Rachel gave me the chance to say goodbye to my father and tell him things I should have said when he was alive and well. Rachel gave me comfort through the most traumatic loss I have experienced. How can I even being to thank her for that gift of closure?​ I respectfully request that you honor Rachel's dedication to my father and my family by granting her the DAISY Award. A small token of gratitude from me for something I can never repay. I will never forget Rachel, her tender touch and care with my father is the highlight of such a dark time for me. ​