Wow, where do I even start with an incredible human like Kirsten? I guess at the beginning, when I walked into IU Arnett, thinking all was well and that I was going to be meeting my brand-new daughter soon. Kirsten was about to switch off her shift when she walked into my room to check the baby's heartbeat. Little did we know she wouldn't find one. From that heartbreaking moment, until we handed our baby girl over to Kirsten for the last time, she cared for me, my husband, and our sweet V with an overwhelming amount of grace that I will never forget. Kirsten went above and beyond to be there for us during such a heart-wrenching time. She held my hand, let out her own tears that made me feel like she was human too and was right there with me, whispered words of encouragement and kindness to me while I cried out in agony, wiped my tears gently from my face, and above all, treated our baby girl with dignity and kindness, just like she would if she were born with breath in her lungs.

Kirsten and O, the Child Life Specialist, spent countless hours making our family beautiful mementos of V that have made the grief a little easier to bear as we went home to a house full of baby gear with no baby. Kirsten took beautiful pictures of us greeting her for the first time, holding her in our arms, mourning her, smiling at her facial features, and so many more that I dearly cling to, and I wouldn't have them if it weren't for her quick and thoughtful thinking. She also made amazing 3D hand/foot molds, hand/footprint crafts, and mementos, wrote letters of encouragement, and sent home a book to help us explain the situation to our other 2-year-old daughter. Kirsten was no doubt sent to be our guardian angel that day, and I hope that by nominating her for this award, I can somehow pay back a small part of what she has done for me. I will forever and always hold Kirsten in my heart!