I've written and deleted this email several times. It is still a very sensitive subject for me. However, I do believe in giving people their flowers while they are around to smell them. A little back story from me. I lost both my parents to coronavirus at Gwinnett Medical Duluth. The past year has been extremely difficult for this country and I know the pain of loss personally. Both of my parents started like I am sure many of your patients start. A little cough but nothing too serious. They began to deteriorate rapidly and both ended up on life support machines. Seeing all the news stories regarding survival once on the machine did not ease our worries but we held on to our faith and prayed that God would deliver us a miracle.

Days turned into weeks and my parents' condition continued to worsen. When I got the dreaded phone call from the doctor that my mother had just passed away, I was lost and in a state of shock and panic. I had so many questions. How could my mother pass away in a hospital, alone, with so much life left to live. While I was immensely sad, I had to press forward because my dad was still in the hospital. I spoke with the nurse who was taking care of him that evening and little did I know, this nurse would completely shake up my life in a good way.

Enter my angel on earth. When he answered the phone, I felt his warmth and compassion immediately. Before I could get any words out, he started the call by expressing his condolences for the loss of my mother and reassured me that he was there for me in any way I needed him to be. At the time, I rolled my eyes at his comment because who am I for him to think about? I was certain that he had several other patients who were just as sick. He gave me updates on my dad and as we were hanging up, he let me know that he was going to be praying for me and my family and that he works all night and if I wanted more updates or just needed to talk or vent, he would be there. Needless to say, I did not call him to vent, but his warm heart really touched me.

Over the next few days, I spoke with many nurses and doctors but they didn’t get to me the way that he did. I mean they were nice but I am sure they were far too busy caring for these sick patients. I got the chance to speak with him again the following Saturday because he was taking care of my dad and once again his compassion shone through. He greeted me like an old friend, calling me by my name. He asked how I and my sibling were holding up. I smiled ear to ear and began to talk to him about various things. Pretty soon, I looked forward to our midnight chats because it was a break from all the sadness and worry for me. When he put my dad on FaceTime, I wept at the sight. Not only did I weep for my father who looked nothing like himself, I wept for my father's guardian angel, who was suited up with masks and gowns, putting his life at risk to save my dad.

A few days later, I got a phone call from the ICU Dr that my dad was declining and was probably going to need CPR, and more than likely he was not going to make it, I went numb. I was offered to come to see him one final time. I accepted but I didn't make it in time. By the time I arrived at the hospital, my daddy was gone. Walking down the hall, I felt nauseous and I just knew I would faint. As I walked into the room, I saw my dad laying there looking like he was asleep. I couldn't contain myself. I felt a hand on my shoulder and that familiar voice whisper my name. At that moment I threw all of the social distancing and precautions out the window and embraced this nurse. He didn't push me away nor did he make me feel like I was doing something wrong. Instead, he wrapped his arms around me and allowed me to cry. I don't know how much time went by but I felt such comfort knowing that he was being watched over by such an amazing person. What really touched me was that when I broke the embrace, I looked up and beyond the goggles, I saw tears in his eyes. I felt his pain at that moment. I saw the face of someone who gave his all and it showed.

My experience with losing a loved one was not unique. And while I am still grieving the loss of both of my parents, I wanted to take some time to recognize someone who helped get me through it. Someone who fell into my life at such an unexpected time. I've sent food and donuts and coffee to the ICU nurses but as I tribute to my parents, it felt right to tribute the nurse who kept me from losing my mind. A true Healthcare hero. I know we don't hear much about frontline workers but you all are so special for what you do. My heart and prayers are with you. Those conversations and the compassion you have shown me and many other families are why I want to honor you. Thank you Demar for all you have sacrificed.