This is an emotional one for me. My son was in a bicycle accident and needed emergency surgery late on a Friday night. After the surgery, they had a hard time finding him a bed. Apparently, there were beds available in Pediatrics, but there were no nurses available for him, so they were going to put him up in Med/Surg for the night. However, when the Charge Nurse (Melanie) heard about my son and what happened to him, she said for him to go to her floor in Pediatrics, and she would actually be his RN for the evening.

When we arrived in the room, Melanie greeted us warmly and said, “I am so glad you are here. You are my only patient all night. I’m here for you.” Once she got my son settled, she brought me some blankets and a pillow and found some snacks (I hadn’t eaten since early the previous morning). Her kindness brought me to tears. She was wonderful with my son. She managed his pain, his wound, and his heart/emotions. She counseled him through his grief, provided the empathy he needed, and gave him encouragement and a beautiful perspective. Melanie is an absolute angel and I’m so deeply grateful for her and the fact that she was willing to take us on that night. Melanie made a profound difference that surpassed basic human kindness. Thank you, Melanie!