Unfortunately, my family has spent too much time in the St. Cloud ICU. While our experience with the nursing staff has been mostly positive, one nurse stands out above all for her compassion, commitment to excellence, clinical skills, and indirect leadership.

During the two days we were fortunate enough to spend with Lilly, she was professional with her peers, physicians, and other staff with how she commanded the ICU room. Her communication with all staff was direct yet professional, and she showed compassion for the patient, family, and other staff of CentraCare Health. As we watched Lilly communicate with staff and family members, we knew there was something special about her nursing skills beyond her ability to provide exceptional care. When I look back at our time in the ICU, I think of Lilly's compassion for my Mom and our family. The word compassion means to "suffer with." Compassionate care calls us to walk with people amid their pain, to be partners with patients rather than experts dictating information to them. "Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It is a covenant between equals." Fr Greg Boyle.

At the end of her shift for the week, Lilly stopped in with the night nurse and provided an excellent bedside shift report to my Mom and our family. Within her shift report, she took the time to introduce my Mom's family and expressed her gratitude for being part of her care team. At this point, Lilly had already impacted our family but what happened next proved everything our family felt about Lilly. Lilly’s shift had ended, and she informed us that she would be leaving, introduced the oncoming nurse taking over, and said she didn't work for a couple of days because it was her Friday. We were in the waiting area a little while later, and we were all really emotional about R’s situation. Lilly found us in the waiting room and came up to us and said, "I just wanted to wish your family the best. I can tell you all really love her, and that goes a long way". And with that, we got emotional all over again. First, what an amazing nurse who went out of her way to show compassion and empathy to us during this time. Secondly, it was a great reminder that when we feel completely helpless, just being there with her, sending her prayers and positive thoughts, and loving her whether we are with her or hours away is powerful, and she needs that.

While we do not know, what will come of our Mom's situation, we are so grateful for the care that has been provided. The best way we know to honor that is to give back to those who go beyond.