Every parent's worst nightmare became a reality for our family. I still vividly remember receiving the phone call that my son had been in a car accident. As any parent can imagine, a flood of fear and helplessness overwhelmed me. When we arrived at the hospital, the doctor informed us that his condition was critical and urged us to prepare ourselves for the worst. Amid the chaos, one person stood out: our nurse, Licia.

Her gentle voice, compassionate presence, and the care she gave my son, even though he was unconscious, brought a sense of comfort I can't fully explain. She offered a sense of hope that I desperately needed in that moment. As she prepared my son for transfer, I broke down in tears, overwhelmed by fear. Licia cried with me and took a moment to pray. That prayer brought peace to my heart that I will never forget. It felt as though she was an angel sent by God, reassuring me that everything would be okay. Though I'm not in the medical field, I could tell a lot was happening in that room just by looking at the expressions on the other nurses' faces. Still, Licia remained calm and composed, not just for my son, but for me and my husband as well. Before he was flown out, she gently spoke to him, encouraging him to stay strong and reminding him that he was deeply loved.

To this day, I think about her often. My son, too, remembers her kindness. Before he was intubated, he shared that she was holding his hand and telling him he was safe. Words cannot truly capture how incredible Nurse Licia is. May God bless her for eternity.