There are times in our lives when we feel tired, sick, hopeless, blindsided, and all alone. In those troublesome moments, believers such as myself remain still and draw closer to God. We pray for understanding, wisdom, strength, healing, and comfort. God sends us answers to our prayers in many forms... one of which happened to be as a nurse named Halley Lindquist on a Tuesday in 2021. Halley will ALWAYS have a special place in my heart for the role she played in my life that day. You see, my 80-year-old mother had been admitted to Genesys Hospital four days prior with labored breathing, disorientation, and trouble walking. We learned she had contracted Covid during the pandemic. That same day, while I was at work, a co-worker asked me if I felt okay. She said I looked peaked. I told her I was fine... that I was just a little tired with the onset of a mild headache. I attributed both to having risen early to help mom dress and get to the hospital. Over the next few days, Mom's condition improved. She was scheduled to come home three days later.

While her condition improved, mine worsened. I called in sick to work on Monday and by Tuesday... I had labored breathing of my own and was crying from the severe pain in my head. My dad called our family physician who instructed us to go straight to the ER. There were already so many people there ahead of me. I was checked in and placed in a wheelchair in the hallway. I had to wait for a room in the ER to open up. A room finally opened up, and Nurse Halley helped me into bed and ensured I was comforted. She checked in on me frequently to see how I was doing and helped me to/from the restroom. At some point, I fell asleep. When I awoke, I checked my cell phone. In the family text, there was a picture of my dad standing over my mother in her hospital room. I was surprised to see that she was still in the hospital as we were told she would be going home that day. When Halley entered the room to check on me, I shared the photo with her and told her how nice it was that hospitals were now allowing families back into the rooms to see their loved ones in the hospital. She asked me my mom's name and what room she was in. I did not know her room number. Halley excused herself. When she returned, she had a wheelchair and asked me to get into the wheelchair so I could go see my mother. On the way to my mother's room, Halley explained to me in the gentlest way possible that my mother's condition had taken a turn for the worst and that we were going upstairs to say goodbye to her. My dad and children were already in her room when we arrived. Halley wheeled me to my mom's bedside where I held her hand. My girls were on the other side of the bed FaceTiming with my sister and nieces. Dad stood at the head of the bed stroking my mother's hair telling her how much he loved her. We prayed over her. My niece played Amazing Grace on her violin. We watched the oxygen levels on the monitor by Mom's bed gradually decline, until like the sands in an hourglass, they ran out. In 40 minutes, my mother was gone. She had indeed gone home that day. Not back to our house in Grand Blanc as we had planned, but rather to her heavenly Father's home. Halley allowed me time to grieve with my family and then said we really must be getting back downstairs. Once downstairs, she was never far away.... tissues, water, and words of comfort and condolence flowed freely.

Later that night, when I was moved to a room upstairs, I was placed in an individual room vs. a shared room with another patient. I was in the hospital for just shy of a week. Halley played an important role in my physical, mental, and emotional care during my stay at the hospital. I will never forget her kindness and compassion. I will always appreciate how she took it upon herself to track down my mother's room, to learn what was going on with her, and to take me with urgency to her room to be with her as she died. The entire turn of events was very surreal and still makes me cry to this day. Halley went the extra mile and cared for her whole patient (mental, emotional, and physical well-being). My mom earned her wings that day, and so did Halley. They say angels walk among us. I met one that day... a nurse named Halley.

(Side Note: Both my girls went on to become nurses. My oldest daughter is now a labor and delivery nurse while my youngest daughter works in the ER. It would appear that Halley made an impression on a couple of younger folk in the room that day aside from myself.) Thank you, Halley Lindquist. You took care of me when I was sick, grieving, and at my worst. You were a light in the darkness. You allowed me to be with my mother and to say goodbye as she transitioned. You gave me rest and peace in a quiet room of my own when I needed it most. You will forever have my gratitude and a special place in my heart. It is for these many many many reasons that you are a true DAISY Nurse.